Strictly's Giovanni and Amanda's struggle to gel 'obvious' from the start

25 October 2023 , 11:39

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing insider says 'it was obvious' Giovanni and Amanda weren't getting on

A Strictly Come Dancing insider claimed it 'was obvious' that Giovanni Pernice and his celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington didn't get along.

Earlier this week, Fleur East announced on It Takes Two that Amanda quit the show. In a statement shared on her Instagram, Amanda revealed she left due to "personal reasons." She thanked the production team and "everyone on Strictly" in a statement, without mentioning professional dance partner Giovanni in her statement, which some have taken as a hint of a feud between the pair.

At the beginning of the competition, rumours swirled that the duo didn't get along. Last month it was reported Amanda threatened to quit the show after a number of rows with Giovanni. It was said at the time that Amanda was left feeling miserable over Giovanni's "aggressive training style and attitude" during their training sessions.

At the beginning of the competition, rumours swirled that the duo didn't get along (BBC)

Following endless rumours about the duo, an insider claimed to The Telegraph it was obvious "they weren't gelling" from the beginning. They said: "From the very beginning they weren't gelling. Obviously they were putting a brave face on it, but the issue was clearly not being solved."

The source continued: "He was quite tough and she found that difficult. If she wasn't very well, that wouldn't have helped. She was with a partner who had a certain training style that she couldn't cope with. Whether that came to a head or whether there's something else going on I don't know." Amanda released a full statement on Tuesday.

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The actress said she felt 'deep regret' over the decision and went on to thank her co-stars, without mentioning her mentor Giovanni once – fuelling their feud rumours. "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," she wrote.

Amanda added: "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. I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them. I'm so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you."

Last month it was reported Amanda threatened to quit the show after a number of rows with Giovanni. It was said at the time that Amanda was left feeling miserable over Giovanni's "aggressive training style and attitude" during their training sessions.

A source told The Sun: "Giovanni is a hard taskmaster and takes the competition very, very seriously. Sometimes his manner is incredibly brusque and this can upset his partners. Amanda was really looking forward to dancing with him, but has found his aggressive training style and attitude pretty difficult to handle."

Zara Woodcock