Strictly pro dancer Graziano Di Prima is SACKED after claims of gross misconduct towards his former show partner Zara McDermott - as he says 'my intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime'

• Why this could be the end for Strictly. Read the exclusive report here 

Strictly professional dancer Graziano Di Prima has been sacked by the BBC following claims of gross misconduct towards his former partner Zara McDermott.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the Italian star was spoken to by bosses of the Saturday night dance show this week and his contract terminated.

A message on Graziano's Instagram said: 'My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.'

One show source said: 'Graziano had to go. It has been awful.'

His departure took place at the same time as Strictly announced that their much-loved pro Aljaž Škorjanec had returned to the show two years after he quit.

Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six.

A message on Graziano's Instagram reads: '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.

'While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation. There's more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.'

Graziano married his long-term partner Giada on the island of Sicily, his childhood home.

Professional dancer Giada, originally from Venice, stars on Dancing With The Stars in Italy, and the couple have previously confessed that spending time apart due to their conflicting schedules is 'tough'.

But Italian hunk Graziano says they want to wait 'a few years' before starting a family.

Graziano joined the cast of professional dancers on Strictly in 2018.

He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.

Graziano's sacking has heaped further turmoil on Strictly, which is deemed to be the jewel in the Corporation's crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.

The complaint was made recently and prompted the BBC to extend the inquiry that was ongoing over claims that Giovanni Pernice had bullied his partner Amanda Abbington during training.

Sources on the show say that Graziano's behaviour makes Amanda's claims that Giovanni bruised her toe during rehearsals seem 'miniscule.'

A source said: ‘It was during that meeting that it all unfolded.’

One said: 'It seems that whatever Gio has done it opened a can of worms.

'It is incredibly brave of Zara to have come forward, it is never easy for a woman or indeed anyone who has been mistreated to do that.'

The complaint was not made by Zara herself but followed a number of Strictly’s production staff raising Graziano’s behaviour with bosses.

BBC chiefs then contacted her management and she was invited in to be interviewed about his behaviour.

Zara rose to fame on Love Island and has since become a documentary presenter for the BBC.

In 2021, she revealed how revenge porn had made her consider suicide after a boy shared naked pictures of her around their school when she was just 14.

Her boyfriend, Sam Thompson, won ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2023, beating the likes of Tony Bellew and Nigel Farage to claim King of the Jungle.

But sources claim the couple have recently been in 'crisis talks'.

While appearing on Strictly in 2023, Zara said of her dance partner: 'Bless Graz, I have started with literally no dance or performance experience whatsoever and he has been putting all of his energy into teaching me, with so much kindness, patience and passion.'

When she was eliminated from the BBC show, Zara broke down in tears as she said: 'I have had the time of my life. Just to be here is incredible. Thank you to the judges and my amazing partner obviously.'

Graziano, who was born in Sicily, was named in the line up of professionals which was unveiled by the BBC last month.

He was also set to be paired with a celebrity until he was contacted by Strictly bosses who wanted to question him about his behaviour towards Zara.

It also solves why the BBC quietly brought Aljaz back to the show. Some within the BBC have questioned why he was not unveiled alongside with the other professionals – particularly because the Beeb left fans waiting for some weeks following Mr Pernice's departure before putting the final list out.

Insiders also noted that the Press were not given a heads up – instead, the announcement was made on the BBC's own magazine programme, The One Show, on Monday evening.

One source said: 'Usually when something like this happens the BBC give the wider media a heads up but this time the first anyone knew of it was a chat with Aljaž on The One Show and then it was quietly put up on the BBC's press centre at 7.30pm the same day.

'It meant that the announcement was in keeping with the narrative the BBC wanted, no questions were asked as to why he was being unveiled now.'

Sources close to Giovanni now say that he hopes that the investigation into him will be hurried up and he will soon receive an outcome so he can move forward with his life.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed Graziano had been sacked, saying: 'We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.'