Zara McDermott stuns as she strips down to swimsuit after jetting off out of the country days before Strictly launch
ZARA McDermott looked incredible as she stripped down to a swimsuit during her latest getaway to Marbella.
Documentary maker Zara, 27, who jetted out of the country with just days until Strictly's launch, stunned onlookers in the brown one-piece while soaking up her tan by the pool.
After showcasing her jaw-dropping figure, Zara changed into a two-tone red dress as she took a stroll with one of her friends and their pushchair.
The Love Island star spent time with pals under the Spanish sun, appearing to be taking a break from her well-documented Strictly Come Dancing woes.
As an internal investigation was launched into the show following an official complaint by her Strictly 2023 co-star, Amanda Abbington, reported footage of Zara being 'spat at and kicked' by her pro partner Graziano Di Prima was passed onto bosses.
Zara is believed to have had no knowledge of the footage being sent to producers ahead of time, only coming forward with her experience when they reached out to her personally.
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Graziano was fired from the show in May for reported 'gross misconduct', with the Italian dancer later sharing a statement saying in part: "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."
He continued: "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."
He added he would "share his story when the time was right" before flying to Sicily to be with his family.
Zara spoke out days later about what had occurred, and while she didn't go into detail, not even referring to Graziano by name, she admitted she was "scared to speak up" about what happened in the rehearsal room prior to the footage coming to light.
A month later Graziano changed his tune, stating to the Daily Mail: "These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes - professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally."
He maintained he was "not a monster" and believed he and Zara were friends.
It's since been reported that he is considering suing the BBC for unfair dismissal, lawyering up with top firm Whitestone Chambers in order to prepare for a fight.
Despite the ongoing issues, Zara urged Pete Wicks, the best mate of her boyfriend, Sam Thompson, to take part in this year's series.
Speaking on Lorraine, Pete said: "Zara is kind of the one who pushed me to do it because she loves the show, and I was quite honest about the fact I had never actually seen it."
Talking of his abilities so far, he said: "I am like a Ferrari from the waist down, but a Volvo from the waist up.
"The hips are there - I have got hips but nothing else.
"I feel like you need the whole body."
He makes his debut on the show next Saturday, with Zara already sharing her support for him online.
Head judge Shirley Ballas has insisted that "nothing is going to dampen" the 20th anniversary celebration following controversy hanging over the latest season.
She said: "To be perfectly honest, I stay in my lane. I don't condone anything that some people may have gone through, but all I could say is the show that we will be producing this year is full of humour.
"I've never laughed so much in all my life from the launch show. I mean that Chris McCausland and Wynne Evans, they've got their own little battle going on. I think it's just such great camaraderie ... this year and everybody seems bright and light, and nothing is going to dampen this show in any shape or form.”
She continued to PA:"It's got new twists and turns this year, and don't forget the millions and millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of people that this show brings joy to, from every age group - from four all the way up to grandpa or grandma."
Comedian McCausland, who is the first blind Strictly contestant, opera singer Evans, DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, JLS star JB Gill, singer Toyah Willcox, Love Island's Tasha Ghouri and reality TV star Pete Wicks are among the celebrities who are set to join the show this season as the first 2024 episode airs on Saturday.
Shirley went on to say that during competitive reality shows it is about the "pressure you put on yourself".
Using her appearance competing on The Masked Singer as an example, she said: "Nobody put it on me. I had to go out there in front of millions and sing, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something out of my comfort zone.
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"I had the most thrilling and marvellous time. It was probably one of the highlights of my career. So, when people go on to the show (Strictly), of course, each person puts themselves under different pressures, people are there for different reasons.
"People are there just have a good old time, like Chris McCausland. He just wants to be part of it. See what he can do, pick up some steps. So, I think the whole thing is going to be absolutely joyous this year."
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for "gross misconduct" after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he "deeply regrets it", adding his "intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime."
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were "amazing to work with", she found the rehearsal room "completely different", confirming there's footage of "certain situations".
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his "1970s attitude" and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a "p***" after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef's Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year's series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after 'an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio'.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is 'deeply sorry', adding: "Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
"At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate."
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the 'humilation being of a sexual nature'.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying "I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong".
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she "never felt pressured" by him and "personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day".
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying "these vile, false allegations have ruined my life."
He also told of the "shocking" end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: "They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue."
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.