Diaco's personal questions to Ravagnani on Rai 2 draw backlash; Ballando team calls them unacceptable

The interview

On 3 November, Rai 2's afternoon programme BellaMà aired an interview by Pierluigi Diaco with Alberto Ravagnani, a former priest of the Diocese of Milan who is now a contestant on Rai 1's Ballando con le Stelle. The conversation was expected to focus on his participation in the show, his recent autobiography and his decision to leave the priesthood, but the questions quickly moved to his private life. Diaco asked whether he was attracted to men or to women. Ravagnani replied that he was attracted to women, while calling the question one with no basis, and then told the host he was being put in a difficult position.

“You are putting me in a difficult position, taking me onto ground where anyone here would be in difficulty.”

Diaco did not back off. He pressed on whether Ravagnani had already had a sexual experience with someone since leaving the priesthood and asked for a yes or no answer. He argued that someone who had exposed himself publicly, through a book and a Saturday night show on Rai 1, owed viewers a pact of sincerity.

“Don't you think that after the profound things you wanted to share with us, you deserve direct questions bordering on rudeness?”

Audience and online reaction

The interview lifted BellaMà's ratings. According to Adnkronos, the programme's share rose steadily and reached 7.5% in its second half, during the Ravagnani segment, a result the outlet called important for Rai 2's afternoon slot. On social media the response was harsh, and Diaco's name trended on X within hours. Many users judged the approach inappropriate and too invasive. Unconfirmed reports said the tone of the exchange also displeased staff on Ballando con le Stelle, and the segment opened with a feature on celebrity former priests that framed the questions.

Ballando's team responds

Milly Carlucci and the show's writers published a joint note on social media on 4 November calling what happened unacceptable. The message expressed affection and solidarity for Ravagnani, which the group said it had already offered repeatedly in private.

“We consider what has happened unacceptable, and we publicly renew to Alberto all our affection and solidarity.”

The note also thanked Ravagnani for accepting the invitation to share his life experience and said the programme had long proposed subjects for reflection. Several figures linked to the show, including Carolyn Smith and Rossella Erra, commented in support, and messages of backing came from entertainment and sport personalities such as Elena Sofia Ricci, Aurora Ramazzotti and Fabio Fognini.

Rai's position and political reaction

According to Fanpage, Rai will take no measures against Diaco. Inside Viale Mazzini the prevailing view is that he got the tone and manner wrong but not the substance, and the company is wary of the clash between the Saturday night show and BellaMà, two programmes from the same broadcaster. Diaco has not commented, and he reportedly does not plan to return to the subject on the BellaMà episode scheduled for the afternoon of 4 November. Federica Frangi, a Rai board councillor indicated by Fratelli d'Italia, said in a note that the freedom to ask questions must always apply. Five Star Movement senator Dolores Bevilacqua called the interview 'a form of aggression' and 'another unworthy page' for public service broadcasting, accusing Rai's leadership of silence while the parliamentary oversight commission was 'paralyzed'.