Strictly Come Dancing could be thrown into more crisis as former professional dancer Graziano Di Prima is reportedly taking legal action against the BBC.

The Italian dancer, 30, was axed from the show in July over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year’s series.

According to The Sun Graziano has now ‘called in top lawyers to sue the BBC’ in a bid to clear his name.

Barristers from Whitestone Chambers have ‘already read thousands of text and WhatsApp messages’ and believe the Italian ‘could sue for unfair dismissal’.

A source said: ‘Graziano feels he wasn’t allowed a fair opportunity to give his side of the story so has been heartened to hear the legal team think he has a case for unfair dismissal.’