Strictly fans convinced bosses purposely cutaway from Zara McDermott as she made her return to the BBC show after her 'distressing' training sessions with sacked pro Graziano DiPrima

Zara McDermott made a dramatic return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night and it seemed that BBC bosses were attempting to keep her presence in the studio on the downlow.

The former Love Island star, 27, attended the show as an audience member with boyfriend Sam Thompson to support close pal Pete Wicks.

Zara took to the Strictly dancefloor last year before becoming embroiled in scandal after footage of her professional partner Graziano Di Prima physically and verbally ‘abusing her’ was unearthed by BBC staff.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed that as cameras focused on the audience during the first live show of the 2024 series on Saturday, the shot cut away as Zara came into frame and strategically switched to a view of the back of ex contestant Fleur East‘s head.

Fans wrote: ‘Producers panicking that its showing Zara, so went to Fleur’s hair instead; Not the camera cutting away quickly when it was closing in on Zara McDermott.

Zara McDermott made a dramatic return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night and it seemed that BBC bosses were trying to keep her presence in the studio on the downlow

The former Love Island star, 27, attended the show as an audience member with boyfriend Sam Thompson to support close pal Pete Wicks

‘It’s giving producers panicking that it’s showing Zara so they went to Fleurs hair in panic; The way they’re so obviously cutting zara out of all these shots’.

Meanwhile others added: ‘Didn’t Zara McDermott make all these bullying allegations against the Pro’s and slagged off the show but she’s in the Audience’.

However, another fan commended Zara for ‘keeping the same energy’ and support that pal Pete had done for her last year.

‘Sam and Zara keeping the same energy and supportiveness that Sam and Pete had for her last year just further confirms my theory that this is the purest three way friendship/relationship ever’.

In contrast to what the fans might believe, insiders say that Zara’s presence was in fact a vote of confidence for the BBC.

A source told The Sun: ‘Zara was there to support her mate — but it does look good for the BBC too. It’s a massive vote of confidence for them and bosses must be ecstatic. Zara is trying to put everything behind her and just wants to move on.

‘This shows that she still has a lot of love for Strictly — and wants the world to see that.’

Zara took to the Strictly dancefloor last year before becoming embroiled in scandal after footage of professional partner Graziano Di Prima physically and verbally ‘abusing her’ was unearthed by BBC staff

Eagle-eyed fans noticed that as cameras focused on the audience during the first live show of the 2024 series on Saturday, the shot cut away as Zara came into frame

However, another fan commended Zara for ‘keeping the same energy’ and support that pal Pete had done for her last year

Zara has clearly put her past experience behind her to cheer on pal Pete – who she met through her boyfriend Sam Thompson

Zara and Sam looked happier than ever as they posed for Instagram photos wearing matching T-shirts with TOWIE star Pete’s face printed on the front

Zara has clearly put her past experience behind her to cheer on pal Pete – who she met through her boyfriend Sam Thompson.

Zara and Sam looked happier than ever as they posed for Instagram photos wearing matching T-shirts with TOWIE star Pete’s face printed on the front.

The couple also rocked coordinated blue denim jeans with a number of pictures of Pete and large black letters reading, ‘Vote Pete Wicks’ written down the leg.

Reality star Zara and I’m A Celeb winner Sam also donned matching black caps with Pete’s face printed on the front as they posed for a number of photos outside the BBC studio.

And taking to Instagram after the show Zara gushed about having a great time as she penned on her Story: ‘Such an incredible evening!

‘What an amazing performance and I’m so glad I could be there to support you!! Didn’t he smash this!?!?!’

Pete signed up for the show just days after it emerged his friend Zara, was physically and verbally abused by Graziano while on last year’s series.

Yet Pete insisted it hadn’t stopped Zara supporting him as he told MailOnline: ‘Zara loves the show, and she’s been a massive support so she will probably be my number one fan.’

When it was suggested Zara could teach him some moves, he quipped: ‘It’s my partner that’s going to teach me everything so I’m just excited to get going.’

Pete previously opened up about how Zara had been the driving force behind him deciding to sign up.

During an appearance on ITV‘s Lorraine on Monday, he admitted: ‘Zara was the one that kind of pushed me to do this because she loves the show. I was quite honest about the fact I had never actually seen it.

And taking to Instagram after the show Zara gushed about having a great time as she penned on her Story: ‘Such an incredible evening!

Pete took to the dancefloor for the first time tonight alongside professional partner Jowita Przystał

The pair danced a Paso Doble to Breathe by The Prodigy scoring 17 points

‘The first time I saw Strictly was the first live show last year when Zara was on and I just thought wow, this is amazing – but I never imagined myself doing it. Sequins, all that stuff, is not necessarily my style.’

He added: ‘I am petrified. I’m like a Ferrari from the waist down and Volvo from the top half. I’ve got the hips but nothing else.’

Pete’s Strictly appearance came as a surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara, and her boyfriend Sam Thompson, following her negative experience.

However, breaking her silence on Instagram, the documentary maker threw her support behind Pete saying it ‘made her so happy.’

Re-posting the official announcement, Zara wrote: ‘I’ve never been so excited. Love you.’

In a comment, she added: ‘This makes me so happy. You’re going to have the best time. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see you in some sparkles and maybe even some hot pants.’

Sam also shared: ‘No words. So proud of you… the content we are going to make that you don’t even know about yet.’

It follows shocking reports Zara performed on the show with a ‘fractured’ leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.

Graziano, 30, admitted to kicking Zara during their sessions, causing him to be sacked from the BBC series.

There were claims that his abusive behaviour was caught on video, in clips Zara stated were ‘incredibly distressing to watch.’

Pete signed up for the show just days after it emerged his friend Zara, 27, was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima while on last year’s series; pictured L-R Graziano, Sam, Zara and Pete

Following the incident Graziano was sacked from the BBC show

Yet Pete insisted it hadn’t stopped Zara supporting him as he told MailOnline: ‘ Zara loves the show, and she’s been a massive support so she will probably be my number one fan.’

In recent months, the dancing competition has been hit by a wave of scandals , with Giovanni Pernice being probed after his partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour

The Sun revealed Zara needed painkillers to get through ten-hour training sessions after breaking a leg bone on Strictly.

A source told the publication the TV star danced during the show’s Halloween week with a fractured leg, and it was ‘literal horror 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 when Zara spoke to private investigators amid the inquiry into Graziano’s behaviour.

It’s not the only scandal to have hit the show, with Giovanni Pernice being probed after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour,

The scandal unfolded in January when it was revealed that Amanda had asked BBC bosses for rehearsal footage after claiming she suffered PTSD as a result of appearing on Strictly.

She later claimed Giovanni had bruised her foot during training.

Giovanni strenuously denies the allegations.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 will continue on Saturday 28th September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.