Graziano Di Prima and his wife Giada Lini put on a united display as they enjoyed a walk in Rome, ahead of Strictly’s launch show on Saturday.
It is the first time the professional dancer, 30, has been pictured since being axed from the BBC show in July, after reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
The Italian native cut a casual figure in a white Diesel t-shirt and green camo shorts as he met Giada, 32, who is a pro on Italy‘s Dancing With The Stars, at the show’s studios in the capital.
He teamed the outfit with a pair of red and black Jordans and accessorised with tinted sunglasses and small hoop earrings.
Graziano seemed engrossed by his phone as he strolled through the city, carrying around his essentials in a black backpack.
Graziano Di Prima and his wife Giada Lini put on a united display as they enjoyed a walk in Rome, ahead of Strictly’s launch show on Saturday night
It is the first time the professional dancer has been pictured since being axed from the BBC show after reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott
The couple packed on the PDA, with Giada reaching up to embrace her husband in the street and lovingly holding his hand as they walked
Meanwhile, Giada put on a leggy display in a blue and white patterned pair of shorts, paired with a white crop top.
She finished off her look with large hoop earrings and stylish shades, pulling her blonde locks up into a neat bun.
The couple packed on the PDA, with Giada reaching up to embrace her husband in the street and lovingly holding his hand as they walked.
Graziano also appeared to lift his t-shirt up at one point, seemingly showing his wife something on his stomach.
It comes after Strictly, which is back for its landmark 20th season tonight, was thrown into turmoil after it was revealed the BBC had sacked professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in the wake of a bullying scandal.
Numerous allegations of abusive behaviour soon followed which forced professional dancers Giovanni and Graziano Di Prima to exit the long-running programme.
Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Graziano wrote on Instagram: ‘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.
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
He teamed the outfit with a pair of red and black Jordans and accessorised with tinted sunglasses and small hoop earrings
Graziano seemed engrossed by his phone as he strolled through the city, carrying around his essentials in a black backpack
The Italian native cut a casual figure in a white Diesel t-shirt and green camo shorts as he met Giada, who is a pro on Italy’s Dancing With The Stars, at the show’s studios in the capital
The couple held hands and put on a united front, ahead of Strictly’s new season launching on Saturday
Graziano also appeared to lift his t-shirt up at one point, seemingly showing his wife something on his stomach
Giada put on a leggy display in a blue and white patterned pair of shorts, paired with a white crop top
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
MailOnline revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano’s conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.
The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue. Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly.
A source from the show said: ‘There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.’
It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara– nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired.
Previously, his fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure.
However, Catherine – who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 – has now removed one of her more supportive comments.
Zara broke her silence on Graziano’s sacking in a lengthy statement, writing on Instagram that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room with Graziano, there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’.
The professional dancer was sacked from the show after it was alleged footage emerged that showed him physically and verbally abusing Zara McDermott
It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara– nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired (pictured with Zara)
Graziano has continued to insist he would never deliberately hurt anyone
Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash.
Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was taking place.
Graziano later admitted he ‘crossed the line’, but denied spitting at Zara, and insisted his behaviour was one-off incident.
In response Zara’s spokesperson said: ‘It’s a matter of public record that the BBC deemed the conduct to be so severe that they removed him from the show immediately.
‘Zara has already confirmed in a statement released on her social media earlier this week that the reported conduct was not a singular incident.’
Graziano has continued to insist he would never deliberately hurt anyone. ‘These vile, false allegations ruined my life in a matter of minutes — professionally, financially, psychologically and reputationally,’ he said.
It comes as Giovanni Pernice, who also left the BBC show amid the row, was all smiles on Saturday as he posed for playful snaps with his dance partner after beginning rehearsals for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.
It was recently revealed that the Italian professional dancer, 34, had signed up to Ballando con le Stelle after leaving the UK show amid bullying claims made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington.
It comes as Giovanni Pernice, who also left the BBC show amid the row, was all smiles on Saturday as he posed for playful snaps with his dance partner after beginning rehearsals for the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing
It was recently revealed that the Italian dancer had signed up to Ballando con le Stelle after leaving the UK show amid bullying claims made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington
But while the BBC have yet to reveal the results of the investigation into the actress’ claims, Giovanni has ploughed with his career, taking part in the Italian dance show alongside the Graziano’s wife.
Taking to Instagram at the weekend, Giovanni larked about in fun photos with Italian actress and singer Bianca Guaccero, 43 – which comes just hours ahead of the UK show’s big launch.
Giovanni cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt, while Bianca dinned a purple vest for the snaps – wth the pair demonstrating their bond by posing close to one another.
Captioning the post, the pair penned: ‘Sweaty but… happy, loaded, willing to give their best and ready to make you have fun and dream!
‘September 28 is getting closer. Are you ready to support us?’
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Profession: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says: ‘Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’