Strictly star Graziano Di Prima is going "down the same path" as his co-star Giovanni Pernice, a showbiz commentator has claimed.
The Italian-born dancer was axed by BBC bosses following claims of misconduct towards his 2023 partner, Zara McDermott.
Di Prima has issued a statement on his sacking, admitting he "deeply regrets the events that led" to his departure.
The BBC star allegedly "kicked and hit" McDermott in rehearsals, prompting complaints to BBC bosses.
Strictly star Graziano Di Prima is ‘taking same path as Giovanni Pernice' and is fleeing to Italy
PA
In a statement on Instagram, Zara said that she loved her Strictly appearance but her "experience inside the training room was very different".
Speaking to GB News, Entertainment reporter Stephanie Takyi said that she feels that Zara's statement is "her own words".
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She said: "She talks about the fear that she had over expressing what she went through.
"She talks about this day and age where there's cancel culture and a lot of critics about, you know, with the whole Strictly drama at the moment.
"There are critics that are saying, 'well, you know what? You sign up for the paycheque'.
"'Why can't you do the hard work that's involved?' You can ending up feeling that pressure to an extent where you feel, 'actually, I don't want to be that person who's complaining'.
Stephanie Takyi said that he has reportedly left the country
GB News
GB News host Emily Carver asked: " Is it true that Graziano [Di Prima] has now fled the country to Italy to sort of escape all this?"
Takyi added: "Well, sources are now saying, he knows his career's dead in the UK, so the only way for him is to go back home to Italy.
"Which is the same kind of routine Giovanni's also going through as well."
BBC Strictly: Zara McDermott has issued a statement following Graziano Di Prima's axe BBCThe BBC has declined to comment on the saga, citing that it never comments on "individual cases".
However, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that Di Prima was "no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series".
They also added: "While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established a robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate."
The details of the misconduct claims are yet to be confirmed by the BBC, McDermott, or Di Prima but sources have claimed it went as far as the Italian dancer "spitting" on his partner.
