Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has spoken out for the first time since being axed from the BBC show.

Di Prima has been a professional on Strictly since 2018 partnering up with celebrities including the likes of Radio DJ Vick Hope (2018), comedian and Loose Women panellist Judi Love (2021) and actress Kym Marsh (2022).

Then in 2023 he was paired up with former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott.

Last month (on July 13) it was revealed Di Prima had been axed as a professional from Strictly 2024 amid allegations about his conduct with a past participant on the show.

Following the announcement, McDermott came forward posting a statement on Instagram, revealing that while her Strictly experience was "everything I could have dreamed of" her experience inside the training room (with Di Prama) "was very different".

Graziano Di Prima has partnered up with several celebrities during his time on Strictly including Kym Marsh, Judi Love and Vick Hope.Graziano Di Prima has partnered up with several celebrities during his time on Strictly including Kym Marsh, Judi Love and Vick Hope. (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

She added: "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."

A week later a Strictly spokesperson revealed Di Prima allegedly kicked McDermott during a rehearsal session.

Strictly's Mark Borkowski, speaking to BBC News, said: "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that.

"He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."

Graziano Di Prima speaks out for first time after Strictly exit

Fast forward nearly a month and Di Prima has spoken out for the first time about these allegations and his subsequent axing from Strictly Come Dancing in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The 30-year-old said he would never deliberately hurt anyone and "vile, false" allegations have ruined his life "in a matter of minutes - professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally".

He said: "For me, this has come out of nowhere. I literally couldn't find any words. I was broken.

"Luckily we were with my mum because I don't know what would have happened if I'd been alone — maybe I wouldn't be talking to you now.

"I didn't stop shaking for a month. In those first days I had ugly thoughts [about suicide].

"Then, I thought: 'If the people who really love me, like my wife and family, are not questioning me for even half a second, why should I let this burn me up?"

As for the allegations about his conduct with McDermott during training, Di Prima said "I'd never, never do that" and described her statement as "shocking".

Graziano Di Prima was said to have allegedly kicked 2023 Strictly Come Daning partner Zara McDermott during a training session.Graziano Di Prima was said to have allegedly kicked 2023 Strictly Come Daning partner Zara McDermott during a training session. (Image: Ray Burniston/BBC/PA Wire)  

The professional dancer continued: "Those rehearsals were nine months ago. I can be strict, I can be passionate. I want my partner to go as far as they can. She wanted that, too.

"You can't imagine how many times my mind has been going back and forward trying to think of something that happened all those months ago that I can't figure out.

"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 was in pain from lifting her so many times but wanted to get it right. I thought I could save her [from elimination].

"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."

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He said he has been abused and threatened on social media over the past month since the allegations surfaced.

Di Prima added: "Anyone commenting on social media should realise I am a real person. I have feelings. I am vulnerable.

"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.

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"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."

This all comes after it was confirmed Giovanni Pernice will not be part of the 2024 line-up of Strictly professionals either amid allegations about his teaching methods - allegations he rejects.