Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has broken his social media silence for the first time since the news of his abrupt departure from the BBC juggernaut.
In an emotional statement posted to his Instagram, the dancer described the situation as "deeply saddening" and expressed his profound disappointment at not being able to continue on the show that had been his home for six years.
The Italian star was reportedly dismissed by the BBC following an internal investigation into allegations concerning his conduct, specifically linked to his partnership with last year's contestant, Love Island star Zara McDermott. The investigation is said to have reviewed footage of their training sessions.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to the Strictly Family
In his post, Graziano penned a heartfelt tribute to the entire Strictly family, from the incredible production team to his fellow professional dancers.
"To everyone involved in the show," he wrote, "thank you for the incredible opportunity you gave me. To my fellow pros and the incredible production team, you are family to me. I will always cherish my time on the show."
An Outpouring of Fan Support
The dancer also took a moment to directly address his legions of fans, whose support has flooded his social media channels since the news broke.
"Most importantly, a huge thank you to all of my fans and members of the public who have messaged me and shown their support during this difficult time," he said. "It has meant more than you will ever know."
He signed off the statement by hinting at a future return to the spotlight, adding: "I look forward to dancing again soon and sharing that with you all."
The BBC has remained tight-lipped on the specific details, reiterating earlier statements that it is a matter for internal HR processes and that they do not comment on individual cases.
