The BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima is taking legal action against the broadcaster.
The Sicilian dancer, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year’s series.
HIS ARGUMENT
Di Prima believes he should have been ‘supported and helped’ with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island star Ms McDermott, 27.
But a BBC insider told the Mail: ‘Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?’
WHY HE WAS SACKED
Di Prima, who allegedly ‘kicked and hit’ Ms McDermott, argues that he was not given any advice on how to deal with the pressure of competing in the show.
A friend of the professional dancer said yesterday: ‘There are questions over their [the BBC’s] procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes.
He [Di Prima] believes that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get nines or tens to entertain the audience.’
It is now revealed today that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Di Prima’s conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.
