What is Graziano Di Prima up to after leaving Strictly?
Graziano Di Prima has returned to Italy with the support of his wife
We take a look at Graziano Di Prima's life away from Strictly as the professional dancer has returned to Italy, his home country.
Sacked Strictly pro Di Prima admitted he kicked Zara McDermott but his rep said it was a single incident, not something that went on for "weeks and weeks of training". Di Prima became part of the Strictly family when he burst onto our screens in 2018. Previously, he has danced with celebrities: Judi Love, Vick Hope and Kym Marsh.
The Italian was axed from Strictly's 2024 line-up after claims about his misconduct towards his 2023 celebrity partner McDermott. The Love Island star broke her silence on the allegations to say she had "wrestled" with herself over speaking out and she said seeing the footage of the incident back had been "incredibly distressing".
So what does Di Prima's life look outside of the BBC show and what is he up to now?
Graziano Di Prima returns to Italy
After the news hit headlines, Di Prima has returned to Italy with his wife Giada Lini. The choreographer has swapped the dance floor for manual labour. Keeping a low profile, the professional dancer is working on a remote farm.
His representative Mark Borkowski told The BBC: "He 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."
It has been reported the professional dancer is working for £6 an hour on the remote farm.
Marriage to Giada Lini
Behind the scenes, Di Prima is being supported by his wife Lini who is also a professional dancer. The couple usually live in London but they also have a home in Venice.
Lini too has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in some of the group dances in 2018, including during Strictly's iconic Blackpool special. The dancer has also made a name for herself, starring on the Italian version of Dancing With the Stars and she made her debut on the show in 2021.
Di Prima has previously said the "toughest" time for their relationship is when they do TV shows in different countries because they are apart from each other. However, they seized the chance to work together on dance show Believe: My Life on Stage in recent months. They toured together earlier this year with dates in March and April.
Their romance goes back to 2015 when they first started dating. And of course, as dancers, they have danced together over the years. The couple tied the knot in 2022, having had to postpone their wedding because of the Covid pandemic. They were married in Sicily which is Di Prima's native home and where his family still live today.
Family plans
The couple have shared their dreams of starting a family together but they want to find the "right time". As Lini is a dancer, she said her career would be put on hold when they decide it is time to have children together.
Di Prima told OK! magazine: "We are both dancers and I always say to my wife, when she feels ready I am always here to support her. We have to find the right time in our lives to do it. Of course we want a family in the future, absolutely."
His wife added in discussion with the magazine: "We both want a family. I think it’s a little bit different with our work, especially for us ladies. We have to stop our careers and our bodies change. You have to be ready 100 per cent to dedicate all of yourself to this, and then hope you can come back."
