Amanda Abbington's actor son Joe and connection to Strictly star Layton

24 October 2023 , 12:47

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Amanda Abbington's actor son Joe and connection to Strictly star Layton

Amanda Abbington's son, Joe, watched the actress strut her stuff during her debut on Strictly Come Dancing before she suddenly quit the show.

The Sherlock actress, 49, shares the 17 year-old and his sister, Grace, 15, with The Office star, Martin Freeman, who she was in a relationship with for 16 years before they split in 2016. Amanda's fans were heartbroken when she decided to call time on her Strictly experience last night, telling fans she 'hadn't taken the decision lightly'. Her family are yet to comment on her exit, but her son Joe will no doubt be sorry he can't support his mum on the BBC One show.

Amanda Abbington's son, Joe, watched the actress strut her stuff during her debut on Strictly Come Dancing before she quit the show

With award-winning actors as parents, it's no surprise the 17-year-old is following in Amanda and Martin's footsteps and forging out an acting career. Joe got a taste of the limelight earlier this year, and landed a role which linked him to Layton Williams – who is also appearing in this year's Strictly.

Joe was announced as part of a specially-adapted teen production of Everybody's Talking about Jamie in Tunbridge Wells. Inspired by the 2011 British television documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, Everybody's Talking About Jamie follows the real-life story of a 16-year-old British schoolboy called Jamie Campbell who lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Amanda's former Strictly co-star, Layton stepped into the title role of the show in the West End in 2019 before then touring with the production until May 2022.

As well as landing a promising acting job, Amanda's son Joe and his sister Grace – who is said to be dating Emma Bunton's son, Beau – occasionally accompany their famous parents to red carpet events. One event they attended was the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One premier in London with mum Amanda in June, after joining dad Martin and his partner Rachel Mariam at the premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever last year. Asked about his kids flying the nest, Martin told the Radio Times: "Me and their mum [Amanda] don't live together so there are times where they're inevitably going to not be with you, or when they say, 'Maybe not this weekend'."

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Layton Williams worked with Amanda on a CBBC mini series (PA)

Amanda tipped Layton to win (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

The actor's former partner, who previously told the Sunday Times Martin was a "great guy" she just 'couldn't live with anymore', stunned her Strictly co-stars when she announced she was quitting the show before breaking her silence today about her departure.

Someone she shared a decade-long bond with who is still in the competition is actor, Layton, who is currently impressing judges on the dance floor with his partner Nikita Kuzmin. Sherlock star Amanda and Layton both had roles in the 2011 CBBC mini-series Postcode about a Somali boy and his family who move to London.

And although Amanda admitted to being competitive and having her eye on the Glitterball trophy, she tipped the Bad Education star, who is yet to comment on the actress' exit statement, for the top spot in this year's BBC series. Speaking about their relationship, she told OK! magazine: "I knew Layton because I worked with him when he was little, we did a television show together and so it was lovely seeing his name come up, It’s a small world.

"This year is really strong, isn't it? I mean, there's loads of really good dancers in there, I think both Angelas are really strong! And everybody's got like a lovely kind of, special thing, a little spark. But I think Layton’s the one to watch... he's amazing."

Victoria Johns