Zara: Video is incredibly distressing

TV star Zara McDermott has opened up about what she describes as harrowing experiences behind the scenes on Strictly.

- ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD

She said some footage of her during training sessions for the BBC programme last year was "incredibly distressing to watch".

Zara, 27, was paired with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30. A video has been shown to Strictly bosses allegedly showing him hitting and kicking Zara as well as spitting at her.

Graziano has now been axed from the show over claims of gross misconduct. He said his will to win may have affected his training style.

It came after another pro dancer Giovanni Pernice was dropped from Strictly amid separate claims about his conduct, which he denies.

BBC bosses have now made changes at the show as they battle to save it.

Producers have introduced a chaperone into every session to monitor all the celebrities' interactions with the professional dancers.

The BBC has also brought in two new welfare support roles, with one person on hand for the celebs and one for the pro dancers.

The official announcement came shortly after former Love Island contestant Zara talked publicly about her time on Strictly, saying she agonised about speaking out because she feared it would spark a public backlash.

Zara, who has also presented a string of BBC documentaries, told her two million Instagram followers yesterday: "I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports.

"Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.