25 October 2023 , 08:21
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Giovanni Pernice has publicly snubbed Amanda Abbington after she made a statement to say she was quitting Strictly Come Dancing.
The Sherlock star, 49, told her followers she hadn't taken the decision to leave the BBC primetime show "lightly" as she thanked her fellow contestants and the production team. However, despite dancing with Giovanni, 33, for five weeks live on TV, she made no reference to her dance partner, even though the Italian said in his own farewell to the competition that he was "so sad" they couldn't continue.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday after her exit from Strictly was announced on Monday's It Takes Two, Amanda said: “It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue. “It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.” She went on to thank the production team and “everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring”.
Sherlock star, Amanda Abbington, made no reference to her dance partner Giovanni Pernice when she broke her silence after quitting Strictly (BBC)Unlike many of his co-stars and the celebrity castmates, Giovanni has made the decision not to reply to Amanda's post publicly. The likes of Gorka Marquez, Annabel Croft and even host Claudia Winkleman all shared messages of support - but so far Giovanni has chosen not to respond.
When news of Amanda's exit broke a day earlier, Gio initially jumped on Instagram sharing a snap of himself and the mum-of-two, beaming backstage of the BBC studio. He captioned the photo: "Amanda ..I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love @amanda_abbington74 @bbcstrictly."
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However, according to sources the dancer has been secretly venting his frustration to his friends, and worries the 'drama' surrounding the actress' exit will have a negative impact on his career. A source toldThe Daily Star:“This has really annoyed him. He’s barely heard from her for 10 days. She hasn’t been replying to messages or telling him what’s happening. He’s been complaining about it to friends. He’s frustrated."
The insider added: “He is worried the drama will be damaging for his career and make him look bad.” It comes after reports the pair were embroiled in a backstage feud despite putting on a united front on social media."
Mum-of-two Amanda is yet to go into detail about the exact reason why she quit, but sources have suggested a series of rumours of a feud between her and Giovanni - rumours they had tried to quash the week before they pulled out of the live show. Amanda, it was claimed, had been left miserable since the first week over Gio's "strict and aggressive style and attitude" and had even considered pulling out before the competition started.
But on It Takes Two, Janette Manrara asked the actress directly how she was feeling about the rehearsals. "It honestly looks like you two are having the best time, getting along like a house on fire in rehearsals, right?" Janette enquired. Amanda shot back: "Yeah we are, we are! We do and we laugh a lot, we have the same sense of humour which is really important. So we'll come out, work hard, and then we just laugh, don't we."
However, after she announced she was pulling out of last week's show, the former partner of actor Martin Freeman left a cryptic comment from late comic Robin Williams on Instagram, which read: "Across an image of Robin, the quote reads: "People don't fake depression... they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."
Amanda's fiancé, Jonathan Goodwin, also shared a message after it was revealed his partner had left the competition. The retired stuntman, who was left paralysed from the waist down following a stunt going wrong on America's Got Talent, posted a mirror selfie with the caption: "We can be so hard on ourselves...be our own worst critics... But before you judge yourself... make sure your mirror is clean."
The Mirror has contacted Giovanni and Amanda's reps for comment.