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AMANDA PLATELL: More heads must roll on Strictly over what seems to be a sordid cover-up

I'm sure I speak for all Strictly fans when I say the news that Graziano Di Prima has been sacked for 'kicking, hitting and spitting at' Zara McDermott makes me want to smash the Glitterball.

I'm sure I speak for all my 10 million fellow Strictly fans when I say the news that one of the show's star dancers, the exotic Italian stallion Graziano Di Prima, has been summarily sacked for 'gross misconduct' after 'kicking, hitting and spitting at' his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals makes me want to smash the Glitterball. It was only when staff, appalled at Di Prima's behaviour, backed up their allegations with video evidence last week – including a clip of Graziano hitting Zara - that bosses were galvanised into action and sacked him. We mustn't forget that Strictly is not only great box office for the Beeb, with its Saturday night audience eclipsing all rival TV programmes, but the Corporation has also made half a billion pounds from selling the format to broadcasters worldwide.

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