BBC Strictly’s Graziano Di Prima shares heartbreaking reason he couldn’t compete in UK as a kid

Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Graziano Di Prima has revealed the emotional reason he couldn’t compete in the UK as a child dancer.

The Italian Latin Champion, who joined Strictly back in 2018, has admitted he’s looking forward to dancing in the spectacular group dances again this weekend in Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom having only competed there once with celebrity partner Kym Marsh last year.

This weekend is made even more special as he reflected on his childhood.

He said: “My first year on Strictly in 2018 was the first time I danced at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Being on the dance floor with all the cast was a highlight of my time on Strictly.

“We didn’t have the money when I was growing up in Sicily to compete in Blackpool, so Strictly made my dreams come true.”

The handsome professional heartthrob, who describes Blackpool as “the home of ballroom” also added that there’s a surprise, fun element to the Tower Ballroom, too.

He said: “There’s a huge sprung dance floor and that makes you want to dance to your best. And the ceiling is so beautiful!”

Graziano, 29, was partnered this year with ex-Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, but they sadly became the fifth couple to be eliminated from the show.

They faced Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk – who are now also eliminated – with Adam being saved at the time.

Zara took to Instagram shortly after her exit aired on BBC One to share her disappointment, but also heap praise on partner Graziano, saying he has brought her “joy” and is her “best friend for life” in a lengthy post.

“I knew this day would come and I tried to prepare myself as best I could for it, but the reality is I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” she began her post.

“I first dreamt of dancing on Strictly when I was 7 years old, dancing round the living room wearing my little dress and wishing I could be one of the “princesses” that I saw on screen. Little did I know that it would one day become a reality, and I’d have got myself half way through the competition,” Zara continued.

“I’ve never been a dancer, or a performer, I’ve always been self conscious, so I knew that this was going to be a huge challenge physically and mentally, yet it was a challenge I absolutely wanted to take on.”

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