BBC Strictly’s Vito Coppola confesses he misses axed co-star Graziano Di Prima as he shows support amid misconduct claims
Strictly Come Dancing pro showed his ‘true friendship’ with axed Strictly co-star remains intact, even a year after their shock departure from the show last year.
Italian performer, Vito Coppola, 32, posted footage of a sweet video call between him and his former co-star, Graziano Di Prima on Thursday morning, showing them exchanging air kisses.
In the video shared to Instagram, the caption penned: “Always start the day with love. Love and miss you @grazianodiprima.” He accompanied the message with the hashtag “#truefriendshipneverdies”.
The choreographer is currently preparing for the next series of the BBC One dance competition, having been confirmed to return earlier this year
Coppola had established himself as one of Strictly’s most successful and popular professionals since joining the programme back in 2022.
The dancer has guided all three of his celebrity partners to the final, and secured victory with former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach; his other finalists include singer Fleur East and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.
For the upcoming series, Coppola will be joined by returning professionals including Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer.
Di Prima’s absence from the current rehearsals follow his shock departure from Strictly in 2024.
The dancer was initially expected to participate in the show’s 20th anniversary series last year, however he was axed by the BBC for allegedly kicking former dance partner Zara McDermott during rehearsal.
A spokesperson for the corporation previously stated: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
“While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised, we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”
The Italian dancer posted to social media amid the controversy, and said in response to his firing: “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.”
Despite the public scandal, Coppola and Di Prima have sustained a relationship, also being photographed together in December at the grand finale of Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.
The warm exchange comes only a week after Wynne Evans launched a spectacular attack on the BBC, claiming “his voice was taken away”, and that the show is “fundamentally flawed in its duty of care” after he was also let go for inappropriate language.
The 53-year-old took part in the 20th series alongside professional dance partner Katya Jones in 2024, but was dismissed by the BBC after using “inappropriate language” during the launch of the Strictly tour.
He issued an apology after a report published by The Mail on Sunday revealed the claims, however issued a blistering attack on the corporation earlier this week.
He said that: “The hardest part hasn’t been owning up to them [BBC] or what people might think of me that’s another story, it’s been watching the BBC engage in a series, of dare I say it, lies and cover‑ups in order to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing.”
He then fired thinly veiled shots at the BBC Director General, Tim Davie, and the rest of the corporation, accusing them of “protecting themselves”.
“One feeling has been constant: the only thing they truly care about is protecting themselves and their jobs and Ratings – people come second.”
In 2024, Amanda Abbington also accused former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of bullying and harassment, leading the BBC to conduct a review. He was also dismissed as a result of the findings.
The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing is scheduled to broadcast on BBC One later this year.