GRAZIANO Di Prima claims his life has been ruined by “vile, false allegations” which got him axed from Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer’s family won’t let him out of their sight as he struggles to process Zara McDermott’s abuse allegations.

Graziano Di Prima has spoken out over abuse allegations from former dance partner Zara McDermottCredit: PA

Graziano with Zara’s boyfriend Sam Thompson and 2024 Strictly star Pete WicksCredit: Instagram

Zara hasn’t spoken to Graziano since he was axed from StrictlyCredit: zara_mcdermott/Instagram
“I thought we were friends. We were friends,” Graziano told the Daily Mail.

“I’m not a monster. I’m not an abusive man. I will not let these lies define me. They are not who I am.”

Graziano was axed from the hit BBC show last month amid claims he hit, kicked and spat at Zara.

There were also anonymous complaints from “third parties” – but Graziano says he has been left in the dark by the BBC.

He says channel bosses have refused to give any further details due to the “confidential nature of the circumstances”.

The 30-year-old added: “These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes – professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally.

“I can be strict, I can be passionate. I want my partner to go as far as they can. Zara wanted that, too.”

Zara broke a leg bone in tough training for the last series but the 27-year-old was unaware and danced on in pain until she and Graziano were eliminated.

Show bosses learned the full extent of the injury only two weeks ago when Zara spoke to private investigators amid the inquiry into dancers’ behaviour.

“Her knee injury was not my fault,” Graziano claims.

Graziano Di Prima’s Fall from strictly to new job
“That’s why I’m telling you they put me under the bus.”

Instead, Graziano insists he has been wracking his brain over what Zara found “incredibly distressing” to see in the footage.

“The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration,” he says.

“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 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.

“Her statement was so, so shocking to me because she never once said she was uncomfortable or unhappy.”

Graziano has been supported by his wife Giada – admitting he doesn’t know what would have happened if he’d been alone.

“Maybe I wouldn’t be talking to you now,” he says.

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

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Graziano added: “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.”

Last night it was revealed Strictly professionals will be forced to have anti-bullying training after the show was plunged into chaos.

Graziano’s former co-star Giovanni Pernice is also being investigated over bullying complaints from his partner Amanda Abbington.

Now BBC insiders have revealed that dancers’ contracts have been amended to enforce mandatory training.

Graziano is being supported by his wife Giada
Credit: Getty