Emotional Zara McDermott was seen ‘wiping away tears’ after a Strictly Come Dancing training session with Graziano Di Prima in September. 

In resurfaced photos, taken outside the north London rehearsal studios, the TV personality, 27, appeared upset with onlookers reportedly claiming ‘she tried to hide behind her hair.’

This week her professional partner Graziano, 31, was axed from the upcoming series over claims he verbally and physically abused Zara during last year’s competition.

In allegations reported on Sunday he was accused of ‘chasing’ after her while ‘screaming abuse,’ leaving her so frightened that she ‘locked herself in a toilet.’

Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’

According to The Sun, when asked by the photographer if she was ok outside rehearsals back in September, Zara replied: ‘Not really.’

The onlooker reportedly added to the publication: ‘Graziano looked furious. He had a face like thunder as he marched towards the car and Zara looked nervous. 

‘She tried to hide her face with her hair as she climbed into the back seat but she looked very upset and wiped tears away from her eyes.’ 

MailOnline has contacted both Graziano and Zara’s representatives. The BBC declined to comment.  

Graziano was accused of ‘chasing’ after his Strictly Come Dancing partner Zara while ‘screaming abuse,’ in allegations reported on Sunday. 

According to the reports, shock details have now been revealed which allege he ‘called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful’ leaving her ‘visibly demoralised’ and ‘in tears.’ 

Zara herself previously claimed in a statement there had been ‘particular incidents inside the training room which were incredibly distressing.’ 

She did not report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash, instead it was junior production staff who came forward. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘Zara ran to the toilets and locked herself in. He chased after her and was screaming abuse. He was aggressive and called her nasty names. It was really scary.  

‘You could constantly hear Graziano screaming but when production staff opened the door he would stop. He’d say, “How the f*** are you not getting this right?”, and “Why are we even bothering to come here?”. Zara was visibly demoralised.’

The insider added that Graziano would apologise each time and ‘promise to not do it again.’

On Thursday, Mark Borkowski, a spokesperson for Graziano, told BBC News: ‘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.’

Referring to the media reports, Mark added: ‘But he doesn’t recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.’ 

‘He [Graziano] has literally cut himself off from civilisation. I think that’s a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He’s coming to terms with his mental health issues.’

Graziano believed the matter had been resolved at the time. 

The investigation into his behaviour was triggered by Strictly’s bid to clean up the show after fellow Italian Giovanni Pernice was accused of abusive behaviour by his 2023 dance partner Amanda Abbington, which resulted in him leaving the show. Giovanni denies the claims.

According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract.

Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘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 concluded the post: ‘I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.’

A BBC Spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging with speculation. 

‘However, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this.’

Graziano’s representative has been contacted for comment. 

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Source: Los Angeles Times1