Unexpectedly returning to Strictly for her first live performance, Zara McDermott backs friend Pete Wicks after speaking out about “distressing incidents” involving fired professional Graziano DiPrima
Saturday night marked Zara McDermott’s first live appearance on Strictly Come Dancing since she opened up about her “incredibly distressing” experience during the previous season.
The 27-year-old former Love Island star made her Strictly debut last year before being entangled in a scandal after BBC employees discovered video of her professional partner Graziano Di Prima verbally and physically “abusing” her.
Zara, however, is obviously moving on from her past and supporting her buddy Pete Wicks, whom she met through her lover Sam Thompson.
Posing for pictures while sporting matching T-shirts with TOWIE star Pete’s face printed on the front, Zara and Sam were happier than ever.
The pair also looked great in matching blue denim pants with big black letters that said “Vote Pete Wicks” printed down the leg and several photos of Pete.
Reality sensation Zara and the winner of I’m A Celeb Outside the BBC studio, Sam wore matching black caps with Pete’s face emblazoned on the front, and they posed for several pictures. Pete is going to hit the dance floor with Jowita Przystał, his professional partner.
Only a few days had passed since it was revealed that Pete’s acquaintance Zara had suffered verbal and physical abuse at the hands of Graziano during the previous year’s season.
Nevertheless, Pete told MailOnline that Zara was still a huge supporter of him, saying, “Zara loves the show and she’s been a massive support so she will probably be my number one fan.”
He joked, “I’m just excited to get going because my partner is going to teach me everything,” in response to the suggestion that Zara may teach him some skills. Pete had earlier disclosed that Zara had been the primary motivator for him to enlist.
He acknowledged this on Monday during an appearance on Lorraine on ITV: “Zara was the one who kind of pushed me to do this because she loves the show.” To be perfectly honest, I had never actually watched it.
When Zara initially appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, I saw it live for the first time and was immediately struck by how fantastic it was. However, I never thought I could pull it off. Sequins and other such elements aren’t really my style.
“I am terrified,” he continued. I resemble a Volvo on top and a Ferrari on the bottom. I have the hips, but not much else.
Some people were taken aback by Pete’s Strictly performance because of his friendship with Zara and her partner Sam Thompson after her unpleasant experience.
But the documentary filmmaker broke her silence on Instagram and supported Pete, saying it “made her so happy.” Zara reshared the official announcement and said, “I’ve never been so excited.” I cherish you.
She continued, saying, “This makes me so happy.” You’re going to enjoy yourself immensely. I’m very happy for you. I am so excited to see you with some glitter and possibly some sexy trousers.
Sam added, “No words.” I’m very proud of you—I’m even more proud of the stuff we plan to create that you are unaware of yet.
It comes after stunning rumors that Zara needed medicines to get through the ten-hour practices since she had performed on the program with a “fractured” leg from an injury sustained during training.
The most recent disclosure follows the 30-year-old professional dancer Graziano’s admission that he kicked Zara during their sessions, which led to his termination from the BBC show.
There have been rumors that his violent actions were captured on camera; Zara called the footage “incredibly distressing to watch.”
“Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig,” a source told MailOnline.
“She hopes no one will go through the same experience again because her experience on the show was so unique.””Zara supports Pete despite the fact that it is somewhat near to home because she doesn’t want anything that happened to her to tarnish his Strictly journey.”
Pete accompanied Sam in the Strictly studio audience the previous year, and the two of them showed their support by donning coordinated shirts emblazoned with Zara’s likeness.
They posed for pictures with Zara and Graziano, who has since left Strictly axing and returned to his home Sicily.
Reality stars After Sam and Pete appeared on the 2019 season of Celebrities Go Dating on E4, they became friends and went on to co-host the podcast Staying Relevant.
In addition to their podcast, the two joke about with one another in widely shared social media videos that highlight Pete’s moodiness and Sam’s want to please.
Zara is frequently featured in the videos, where the trio entertains their large combined fan base with entertaining dance routines.
They went on, “She is aware that Pete is going to have a great time and might even make an impression on the judges; he is a good man and an extremely hard worker who will thrive in this demanding environment, but he excels when faced with challenges and pressure.”
After breaking her leg bone on Strictly, Zara needed medicines to get through ten-hour training sessions, according to The Sun.
The TV actress danced throughout the show’s Halloween week while suffering from a shattered leg, according to a source who told the tabloid that it was “literal horror in every sense of the word.”
An X-ray showed that she had a stress fracture in her left tibia along with extensive ligament damage.
Only two weeks ago, when Zara spoke with private investigators during the investigation into Graziano’s behavior, did show executives discover the entire degree of the harm.
Not only has this scandal rocked the show, but Giovanni Pernice is now under investigation after his famous partner Amanda Abbington accused him of violent behavior.
The controversy started in January when it was made public that Amanda had requested rehearsal video from BBC executives, citing her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing as the cause of her PTSD.
Later on, she said Giovanni had injured her foot when they were training. Giovanni vehemently disputes the accusations.
