Zara McDermott breaks her silence after ending up in the Strictly dance off and says she was ‘gutted’ to let down partner Graziano Di Prima

October 9, 2023

Zara McDermott has revealed she was left ‘exhausted’ after ending up dancing on Sunday night’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Love Island star, 26, also found herself dancing partner Graziano Di Prima in a face-off with Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez after receiving the fewest votes.

They performed their Pasodoble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots, while Nikita and Gorka again performed their Jive to Kids In America from Clueless in a bid to impress the judges and stay in the competition.

However, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Mozzi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas decided to save Zara and sent Nikita home.

Zara took to her Instagram on Sunday night after attending the Pride of Britain Awards to express her disappointment at almost being axed from the show, but vowed to ‘turn it around’ next week.

Disappointed: Zara McDermott revealed she was left ‘exhausted’ after ending up on Sunday night’s Strictly Come Dancing

Staying positive: Zara took to her Instagram on Sunday night after attending the Pride of Britain Awards (pictured) to express her disappointment at almost being knocked out of the show but vowed to ‘turn it around’ next week

In danger: The former Love Island star, 26, found herself and dance partner Graziano Di Prima facing off against Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez after receiving the fewest votes

She shared a series of snaps of herself performing a dance routine with her ‘best friend’ Graziano and from behind the scenes dressed in their cat-themed costumes.

Tagging the footage, she admitted she felt she had let the professional dancer down, but expressed her gratitude to still be in the competition and vowed to have a “positive mindset”.

Zara wrote: “We were absolutely gutted to be in the game this week. especially after putting our heart and soul and so many hours into our routine.

“Bless you Graz, I started with literally no dance or performance experience and he put all his energy into teaching me, with so much kindness, patience and passion.”

“For a second I felt like I’d let him, myself and my family down, but I reminded myself that’s what Strictly is all about!!

“You don’t have to be the best dancer, you just have to be willing to learn and have fun.” And I am exactly that.’

She continued: “I’m extremely grateful to the judges for saving us, and I’m going into next week with the positive mindset that I can turn this around and do even better next week.”

“I’m going to dedicate myself to learning our next routine and I can’t wait for tomorrow to start training and get back on the dance floor with my best friend.”

Going all out: They performed their Pasodoble to The Puss Suite from Puss In Boots, while Nikita and Gorka reprized their Jive to Kids In America from Clueless in a bid to impress the judges and stay in the competition

All in the end: However, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Mozzi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas decided to save Zara and sent Nikita home (Nikita and Gorka pictured)

Looking good: She shared a series of snaps of herself performing a dance routine with her ‘best friend’ Graziano and backstage in their cat-themed costumes

Determined: Tagging the footage, she admitted she felt she had let the professional dancer down, but expressed her gratitude to still be in the competition and vowed to have a ‘positive mindset’

Proud partner: Graziano praised the reality star in the comments and expressed his pride in her resilience

“I’m doing this for myself and for those who felt their self-confidence was damaged, to show that we can come back stronger than before.”

In the comments, Graziano praised the reality star and expressed pride in her resilience.

He wrote: “There are no words to describe how proud I am of you!! All the hard work paid off in the end!! let’s push partner!!’

The pair appeared to have put their disappointing results display behind them on Sunday as they attended the Pride of Britain Awards together at the Grosvenor Hotel.

Zara looked sensational in a white silk dress with a bare shimmering bodice, which featured a high slit on her left leg and a long white train.

She boosted her height with a pair of silver sparkly heels and completed the look with some sparkling heart dangle earrings.

Her Italian dance partner looked dapper in a striped cream suit and kept the top buttons of his shirt open to flash his chest.

Stylish outing: The pair appeared to put their disappointing results behind them on Sunday as they attended the Pride of Britain Awards together at the Grosvenor Hotel

Glamourous: Zara looked sensational in a white silk dress with a bare shimmering bodice, which featured a high slit on her left leg and a long white train