Graziano Di Prima has insisted he is "not an abusive man" after being axed from 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
Graziano Di Prima: 'I'm not an abusive man'
The professional dancer left the BBC dance show after allegations over his behaviour towards his 2023 celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott but Graziano has insisted he is innocent.
He told Mail+: "I didn't deliberately hurt anyone. I'm not a monster. I'm not an abusive man.
"The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. We'd practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts. It wasn't easy but that's the pressure of the show. I wasn't meaning to kick her. I'd never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.
"I'm not sure if this is it or if it's from when we, as professional dancers, move our partner's leg with our foot. That is what is so difficult for me - not knowing."
And, Graziano insisted he will "dance again".
He said: "Right now, my reputation is zero and it will take a superhuman effort for me to get up from this hole. But I do believe the truth always wins in the end. I am determined not to let my and my family's lives be destroyed."
"I will dance again. I will bring joy to people again with my dancing because this is who I am: an international professional dancer, a man of integrity, a loving husband and son who has never forgotten where he's come from. I will not let these lies define me. They are not who I am."
After he was axed from the show, Graziano shared his "regrets" in a candid post on Instagram, writing: "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. 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."
Zara also posted about her experience on the show, writing: "When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true.
"I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that 'Strictly' was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.
"I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took. And so much of my 'Strictly' experience was everything I could have dreamt of ... "However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.
"I have wrestled with the fear of opening up - I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show."
Tagged in Zara McDermott