Former Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has spoken out about her time on Strictly Come Dancing and the recent allegations surrounding her former dance partner Graziano Di Prima.
In an interview with The Belfast Telegraph, Marsh expressed her surprise at the claims made against Di Prima, stating that she had “tremendously fond memories” of her time on the show and did not experience anything like what has been reported.
Di Prima will not be returning to this year’s series following allegations about his behavior in the training room. His 2023 dance partner, Zara McDermott, has come forward to say that she was involved in incidents during rehearsals that she now finds “incredibly distressing” to watch back.
Di Prima’s spokesman admitted to BBC News that he had kicked McDermott once in a rehearsal last year, but insisted he is “not an abusive man.”
Marsh, who was partnered with Di Prima in the 2022 series, emphasized that her experience on the show was positive and that she did not witness any of the behavior that has been alleged.
The upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing has been overshadowed by controversy, with several former contestants speaking out about their treatment on the show. The BBC has announced measures to strengthen welfare and support for contestants, including the presence of a chaperone during training room rehearsals.
As the new series approaches, the allegations surrounding Di Prima and the overall culture of the show continue to raise concerns. BBC News has reached out to Di Prima’s representatives for comment on the matter.
