Hits Radio's Sam Thompson reveals what he thinks of Zara's Strictly partner Graziano 🕺

They've invited him over for dinner!

Zara McDermott and Graziano di Prima / Sam Thompson
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 19th Sep 2023

Our very own Sam Thompson is super excited to have his girlfriend Zara McDermott on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. And he opened up about her professional partner Graziano di Prima on his Hits UK show, on Hits Radio.

Love Island star Zara and professional dancer Graziano were announced as a pairing, during the launch show of Strictly on Saturday 16th September. Now that the news is out, Sam has been talking about Zara's partner revealing that they've actually had him and his wife over for dinner.

"Graziano – what a lovely man!" Sam told his listeners."What a beautiful man as well… big muscles, about 6ft 4, jacked and a year younger than me as well which is terrifying."

He continued: "He came round for dinner with his lovely, beautiful wife not long ago - we made him spag bol - and we found out loads about him. He grew up in Sicily, he was a grape stomper - I think that’s what they call it! He put a roof over his parents head when he started dancing, he’s got the most amazing story, he’s the loveliest man."

Sam went on to say that he thinks Graziano actually looks very like his best mate Pete Wicks! 🤣 "What struck me though, all of these conversations we had, and it was quite deep chats," Sam explained. "What really struck me throughout the whole dinner was… he looks like Pete Wicks! He looks like my mate Pete just a bit better looking, a little bit less haggard to be fair!"

Strictly continues on Saturday 23rd September, when it will be the first of the live shows, and we will get to see each of the pairs take to the stage.

Sam, who has been supporting his girlfriend Zara ever since she was announced to be taking part in the show, told his listeners: "Hopefully I can go because tickets are very, very hard to come by. But it’s really, really cool and I’m so glad it’s Graziano - he’s going to take good care of her."

When can you listen to Sam Thompson on Hits Radio?

Sam Thompson presents his Hits UK show Monday - Thursday from 7pm on Hits Radio.

Take a look through this year's pairings:

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez



Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima


Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe


Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola


Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu


Luba Mushtuk and Adam Thomas


Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington


Dianne Buswell and Bobby Brazier


Lauren Oakley and Krishnan Guru-Murthy


Nikita Kuzmin and Layton Williams


Nigel Harman and Katya Jones


Jowita Przystal and Jody Cundy


Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer


Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington


Les Dennis and Nancy Xu



Now read:

Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Everything you need to know

Hits Radio's Sam Thompson is 'more nervous than Zara' ahead of the new series of Strictly

Timbaland reveals why it took so long to do another collab with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.