STRICTLY’S Zara McDermott broke a leg bone in tough training for the last series.
But the star, 27, was unaware and danced on in pain with partner Graziano Di Prima until they were eliminated.
6
It has been revealed that Strictly’s Zara McDermott broke a leg bone in tough training for the last series.Credit: BBC
6
Zara was pictured with the injury, which is now known to be a broken leg, wearing a surgical boot in MarchCredit: James Curley
6
Ex-Love Islander, Zara, told her pro partner — disgraced Graziano Di Prima — of her agony ahead of last series’ Halloween specialCredit: PA
Zara only recently revealed the injury to the show inquiry.
After the injury, Zara needed painkillers to get through ten-hour training sessions.
The ex-Love Islander told her pro partner — disgraced Graziano Di Prima — of her agony ahead of last series’ Halloween special.
The pair agreed to plough on before losing a dance-off — with Zara then going to hospital.
An insider explained: “Zara had started getting injured in the build-up to the Halloween dance then something went on the morning, meaning she danced with a fractured leg all that week.
“It was a literal horror show in every sense of the word.”
An X-ray revealed severe ligament damage plus a stress fracture on her left tibia.
Show bosses learned the full extent of the injury only two weeks ago when Zara spoke to private investigators amid the inquiry into dancers’ behaviour.
Graziano was sacked earlier this month after admitting kicking Zara once at rehearsals.
Sources close to Zara said: “She started developing a really bad, niggly pain in her left leg at training. The pain got worse and by the last few weeks, she was in agony, popping painkillers before, during and after sessions.
It was only after she left the show, and the pain became agonising, that she was referred to hospital and a hairline stress fracture was discovered in her tibia alongside ligament damage.
Inside source
“She made Graziano aware of her discomfort but he was pretty adamant they needed to crack on.
“Obviously they both wanted to get the highest scores possible, and unfortunately she pushed through the pain.
“She wasn’t seen to by medics on site, and production weren’t aware of the extent of her injury.
HOW CRISIS UNFOLDED
THE Sun has led the way on Strictly’s biggest scandal yet.
Last September, we revealed Amanda Abbington threatening to quit the show over rows with partner Giovanni Pernice.
In October, she confirmed our story, quitting and citing a medical reason.
At the start of this year, The Sun on Sunday revealed she had PTSD as a result of her show training.
In May, we revealed Gio had quit and broke the news “several” celebrities had instructed top lawyers over the dancer’s behaviour.
And this month we told how pro Graziano Di Prima was sacked over shocking clashes with celeb partner Zara McDermott, caught on film.
“By the time of her last dance, she was in a lot of pain and limping through the moves.
“She can’t watch it back as it brings back too many agonising memories.” Zara and Graziano were eliminated in a dance-off with Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas and pro Luba Mushtuk.
Didn’t want to make a fuss
The source went on: “It was only after she left the show, and the pain became agonising, that she was referred to hospital and a hairline stress fracture was discovered in her tibia alongside ligament damage.
“Zara didn’t want to make a fuss, so didn’t alert anyone at the BBC until two weeks ago.”
Zara, who wore a moon boot for almost three months earlier this year, is understood to have told investigators about the “beyond” rigorous training which caused a stress fracture.
However, last night a source close to Graziano claimed he encouraged her to take breaks, and she wanted to continue training.
The revelation comes less than a week after Paralympian Will Bayley revealed he was left with a life-changing injury after jumping from a box at rehearsals.
After hearing his leg crack, and suffering “horrific pain”, he was given an ice pack instead of being taken to hospital.
Will — forced to quit the 2019 series with knee ligament damage — claims that he warned producers the jump was too dangerous but was ignored,
The BBC has endured a deeply uncomfortable two months over the show. In May The Sun revealed pro Giovanni Pernice was quitting, and that several celebrities had come forward to raise concern about his behaviour.
Over the past few weeks, others have come forward with their own horror stories on Strictly.
Earlier this week the corporation’s director general, Tim Davie, apologised for any duty of care breaches — and insisted new protocols were in place to protect future contestants.
A spokesman for Zara declined to comment last night.
Meanwhile, former Towie star Pete Wicks, 36, was unveiled as the latest celebrity to sign up for the new series.
He joins DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, 61 — revealed by The Sun yesterday — plus EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick, 30.
A source said: “Pete is excited to get started. He isn’t much of a dancer but that’s what the BBC loved about him.
“They wanted the show to feel more like it did in the beginning.
“Pete will also attract younger viewers who have followed his career since Towie.”
6
Graziano was sacked earlier this month after admitting kicking Zara once at rehearsalsCredit: PA
6
The couple were voted off in week six of the BBC dance competitionCredit: PA
6
Graziano Di Prima has been a professional dancer on Strictly since 2018.Credit: BBC
News
Deshaun Watson’s Long-Time Girlfriend Forced To Take Drastic Measures After Wishing Her Man Happy Birthday On Social Media
Deshaun Watson and Jilly Anais (via Getty Images) The NFL season began last week, and every team received their fair share of media attention in week one. Cleveland…
VIDEO: Cameras Caught Titans HC Brian Callahan Ripping Into QB Will Levis On The Sideline, And Lip Readers Have Uncovered His Vulgar Message That You Don’t Want Your Kids To Hear
Will Levis and Brian Callahan (Photos via @NFL & @austingayle_/X) Will Levis made another awful play to set the Tenessee Titans back after they got into the red…
Comedian Nikki Glaser Spills The Beans On Awkward Encounter She Had With Tom Brady Following Netflix Roast
Tom Brady and Nikki Glaser (Photos via Getty Images) Nikki Glaser, a comedian, received tremendous accolades for her performance on Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom…
VIDEO: Frightening Scene Unfolds As CPR Performed On Member Of Chain Gang During “Medical Emergency” At Ravens-Raiders Game
Lamar Jackson and Ravens players kneeling (Photo via CBS) A scary situation has emerged in Baltimore during the playing of the Raiders and Ravens game. A member…
VIDEO: Social Media Is Destroying FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd For Getting Embarrassingly Fooled By Wild Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift Tweet
Colin Cowherd, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (Photos via Twitter and Getty Images) Sports fans are teeing off on FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd for getting duped by a fake…
Tua Tagovailoa Makes Shocking Final Decision On His Playing Career After Suffering His Third Confirmed Concussion
Tua Tagovailoa (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has finally made a decision on his career. In the aftermath of his latest concussion, which is his…
End of content
No more pages to load