Former Strictly professional Graziano di Prima has returned to social media with an impassioned vow.
Italian hunk Graziano, 30, had been due to compete in the current series of the BBC competition and had been announced among the professional line-up back in the summer. However, amid the internal probe into fellow Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice, Graziano was also dragged into the scandal.
Shortly after the line-up was confirmed in June, it was announced that hunky dancer Graziano had been let go by bosses at the show. This came after footage emerged of him hitting, kicking and spitting at celebrity partner Zara McDermott.
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Following his dismissal, Graziano released a statement saying he "deeply regretted" his actions which led to his ultimate firing from Strictly Come Dancing. Shortly afterwards, Graziano upped sticks and moved back to Sicily, where he worked as a farmhand.
Now, four months on from his dismissal from he show, the Italian dancer has returned to social media for the first time. In an emboldened speech, Graziano addressed his Instagram followers as he strode across a bridge at night, while the video was interspersed with old clips of his dancing career.
As well as this, he was seen having an intimate moment together with wife Giada Lini, a fellow professional dancer, currently competing in Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of the show. The pair shared a touching moment as they danced under the moonlit sky.
Writing in the caption of the intense video, Graziano penned: "Dance has always been the centre of my life, my greatest passion, the path I chose and dedicated years of study, sacrifice, and love to. After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing.
"The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I’m excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration," he added. "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is always there for me."
Confirming his return to the dancefloor, he wished fans well and hoped they would continue to follow him as he moves onto pastures new following the Strictly debacle. Some of his BBC co-stars were quick to gush over the star, with fellow Italian and current reigning pro Vito Coppola being one of Graziano's biggest supporters.
"Friend of mine; this video has moved me... tears of joy that prove how much I love you, I miss you," Vito wrote. "One step at a time my friend," he added, "Always surround yourself with people who love you and who, in one way or another, contribute to enrich your life with love, joy, smiles and lots of happiness. I love you."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday (November 16) at 6:30pm on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
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