‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Pro Involved in Behind-the-Scenes Altercation

Popular British dance competition show Strictly Come Dancing is facing a significant issue.

In any large cast with dynamic personalities, disagreements are bound to arise occasionally. Recently, a professional dancer confirmed his departure from the show after kicking his celebrity partner during rehearsals.

What exactly transpired?

Incidents are not uncommon backstage in competition shows. However, one Strictly dancer has found himself in hot water after admitting to being violent with his celebrity partner.

Strictly Come Dancing pro Graziano Di Prima and Love Island contestant Zara McDermott competed together on Series 21. Unfortunately, their experience was far from positive. During rehearsals, Di Prima reportedly got angry with McDermott and kicked her.

Given the severity of the incident, Di Prima found no place on the show moving forward.

“There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right,” Graziano Di Prima’s representative admitted to BBC News. “He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”

Di Prima also issued an official apology on his Instagram page last week.

“I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime,” the dancer wrote. “Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away. While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”

If an incident like this has happened at Strictly Come Dancing, it raises concerns about the possibility of similar occurrences at Dancing With The Stars.

In fact, Cheryl Burke once shared an incident where country singer Billy Ray Cyrus violently kicked a stage manager back in Season 4 of Dancing With The Stars.

“We were all nervous. It was right before, light right when it was going to end, our dress rehearsal, our stage manager tells Billy Ray, can you get on your mark? So that, you know, the director can light you,” the former pro dancer shared on an episode of Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans. “And he’s been asking like three, four times at that time, Billy Ray kicked our stage manager. Out of nowhere, straight up donkey kicked him. It turned into a hot mess. It was like, and his time was up after that.”

In light of the incident with Strictly, fans expect enhanced safety measures at Dancing With The Stars. Time will tell what actions are taken next.

What are your thoughts on the kicking scandal at Strictly Come Dancing? Do you believe it will have any repercussions for Dancing With The Stars? Share your opinions in the comments.

Source: BBC News, Instagram, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans