STRICTLY DRAMA
Strictly shock as former pro hints a NEW celeb will reveal ‘mistreatment’ after show couple ‘didn’t get on’
STRICTLY ex pro Vincent Simone has hinted that ANOTHER celebrity may come forward to reveal more "mistreatment" on the show.
Vincent, who appeared on the BBC dance show from 2006 until 2012, explained that chaperones are not a new thing, following the announcement of the show's new duty of care plan.
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It comes after Graziano Di Prima, 30, was fired by the BBC following claims he hit, spat and kicked Zara McDermott during training.
He recalled a time when he help choreograph a dance routine for a couple on the programme and said a chaperone was sitting in because the celeb and the pro did "not get on".
Vincent revealed that yet another celebrity felt uncomfortable to be left alone with their partner, but did not name them.
The Italian dancer said on Good Morning Britain on Friday: "I had the pleasure of choreographing the Argentine Tango for Strictly and there has been some of the couples when I was in the room with them, there was this man in the corner with a laptop for the first few days.
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"They already had a chaperone in place for this specific couple because they didn't get on."
On Tuesday, the BBC gave more detail on their new duty of care and the drastic new measures to be implemented following the overhaul.
Going forward the BBC says there will be a "production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times".
Former Strictly pro Ian Waite, who appeared from 2004 to 2009, also joined the the panel alongside Rob Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins.
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Ian admitted that the female professionals were just as harsh, if not more so, than the men - but don't face the same criticism.
Vanessa Feltz slams BBC for 'ramping up Strictly drama'
Ian told viewers: "The dance world is a hard world to be in because you've got to get things right and you've got a lot limited time and you're put under a lot of pressure to make the best performance you can at the end of the week."
He continued: "In the past some of our lady professionals have been very hard on our male celebs, possibly the male pros wouldn't have got away with.
"But because it's a female professional telling a man what to do they kind of get away with it.
"It's a very high pressured situation, maybe this is why is has created this atmosphere.
"Certainly in my experience I've never seen that or heard of that before."
Ian said he had "never seen that or heard" of anyone "kicking" their dance partner before.
While Vincent shared his horror at the incident - saying "I’ve never heard of such a physical act".
Co-host Rob asked Vincent: "Can you think of any workplace scenario when you're teaching somebody and you kick your student, you wouldn't immediately be sacked and possibly prosecuted?"
Vincent replied: "We've been in this industry for over 30 years and I've never heard of such a physical act.
"I feel really sorry that this has happened and I pray Graziano comes out and comes clean and be honest with the situation.
"But personally I've never had any problems, my Strictly journey was amazing. The only problem I had was all my celebrities fell in love with me."
Graziano has since admitted "making a mistake" by kicking Zara in a rehearsal last year.
His representative, Mark Borkowski, told PA: "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."
The dancer has told pals he is “mentally shot” after video emerged of him kicking and spitting his former celebrity partner.
A source said: “Graziano has lost everything.
“He is in pieces and filled with remorse. He knows, quite rightly, there is no way back for him in showbiz in the UK. His Strictly dancing career is over.
“He’s fled back home and is living on a farm, earning a pittance, and throwing himself into manual labour.
"He says he is literally living next to some cows- it’s an astonishing fall from grace.”
Graziano is earning £6-an-hour in his new job, a far-cry from the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.
ZARA'S FULL STATEMENT
It comes after Zara released a statement in full to her Instagram page.
The documentary maker said: "I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports.
"Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.
"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."
Zara insisted that the Strictly production team and everyone behind the scenes were "amazing to work with".
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However she added that her "experience inside the training room was very different" and said: "There were witnesses to some events as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch."
Zara signed off: "I would like to thank the BBC & BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me - it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara."
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