Truth behind Amanda Abbington's Strictly exit after 'frazzled' Giovanni exit
Strictly Come Dancing's Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice were billed as 'ones to watch' before the actress dramatically quit the show on Monday.
Much had been made of the Sherlock star's progress on the dance floor with the Italian champion praising her 'beautiful frame' in a gushing Instagram Story. However, things took a turn when rumours of a feud between the pair started circulating, with sources saying the mum-of-two, 49, was wary of Gio's 'strict' training techniques.
The jig was up when Amanda pulled out of the live show last weekend before subsequently leaving the competition for good, leaving viewers shocked.
So, as we get ready to watch the rest of the class of 2023 strut their stuff on Halloween Week, here's the lowdown on the Sherlock star's strange Strictly story.
Strictly Come Dancing's Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice were billed as 'ones to watch' (BBC)Fallout rumours
Before Strictly's first live show had even kicked off there were reports Giovanni was at loggerheads with Amanda.
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Amanda was said to have been left so miserable over the Italian's "strict and aggressive style and attitude” during their training sessions that she considered quitting the competition before setting foot on the dancefloor.
Despite the early setback, the pair put on a united front and denied rumours of a rift. Amanda brought chocolates to their next training session with Giovanni telling fans: "Tthis is when your partner knows very well, she knows it's going to be a long day so she just treated me before that..."
During an appearance on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two., host Janette Manrara directly asked the two about their friendship. "It honestly looks like you two are having the best time, getting along like a house on fire in rehearsals right?" she wanted to know.
Amanda agreed, insisting: "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?"
Mystery as Amanda pulls out of live show
In news which shocked Strictly fans, it was announced hours before Strictly's fifth live episode that Amanda would not dance on 21 October, for 'medical reasons'. A representative for the programme said at the time: “Due to medical reasons, Amanda Abbington will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week.”
However, despite being given a bye to the next round of the star-studded series, Amanda and Gio would not dance together again, with the drama only just beginning...
Abrupt exit bombshell
After much speculation surrounding her mysterious no-show on the Saturday, the BBC confirmed Amanda's exit from the show on Monday night.
During It Takes Two, host Fleur East confirmed the actress had left the ballroom competition. In a statement read out on It Takes Two, Fleur said: "Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future."
Fleur then showed Amanda and Giovanni's best bits on the show, before sending her own well wishes to the actress. The actress' co-stars also sent their well wishes, including Giovanni, which would be his last interaction with Amanda...
Gio told initially told Amanda he was 'so sad' when she pulled out of the live show (Instagram)
Amanda publicly snubbed Gio when he made his statement (PA)Giovanni's emotional goodbye - and Amanda's shock snub
Following the news Amanda had quit, Giovanni shared a sweet picture of himself and Amanda backstage of the BBC Studio in their pyjamas on Instagram and said: "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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Other Strictly stars, including the Italian's former dance partner, Rose Ayling-Ellis, with whom he lifted the Glitterball trophy in 2021 liked his statement. But Amanda, stayed eerily silent, despite dancing with Gio on live TV for five weeks.
Amanda 'ignores' Giovanni
After keeping schtum following the BBC's statement, Amanda broke her silence the following day. Sharing a nondescript snap of a pair of dancing shoes, she made no mention of Giovanii as she 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. 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. xxx"
Many of Amanda's co-stars said they would miss the mum-of-two greatly, but Giovanni said nothing, publicly snubbing the star he once called a 'beautiful dancer'.
Why did Amanda leave Strictly?
After weeks of rumours about her relationship with Giovanni, with many saying the pair 'didn't gel', a source told the Daily Star Amanda was “fed up”, adding: “The schedule is very gruelling and after a series of setbacks on the show she has simply decided, with regret, that it’s the right thing to do.”
The Inside Number Nine star was reportedly feeling "frazzled and fragile" before making the decision to quit the competition. It's also suggested Amanda "didn't know what she'd let herself in for" before signing up to be a Strictly star.
Speaking to The Telegraph, a Strictly insider told the publication: "It could be that she [Amanda] didn't know what she let herself in for. 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."
Cryptic comments
Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning after the news of her pulling out of the live show broke, Amanda shared a poignant message with her followers as Giovanni prepared to appear on the live show on his own. In a post to her Stories from an account called @positiveminds011, she broke her silence following the announcement. The image showed a picture of the late actor Robin Williams and the words: "People don't fake depression... they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."
Amanda's partner Jonathan made a cryptic comment on Instagram following Amanda's Strictly departure (INSTAGRAM)Her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin, who was tragically paralysed when an America’s Got Talent stunt went wrong, also made a reference to mental health after posting a photo of himself looking at his reflection in a mirror on his Instagram story, he wrote: "We can be so hard on ourselves...be our own worst critics... but before you judge yourself..."
After Amanda's bombshell exit statement, he added: " 'When you see an iceberg you could be forgiven for not realising just how much is below the surface. 'The same is true of people. Don't be quick to judge a person or situation if you don't know what's below the surface...'
What next for Giovanni?
Giovanni's Strictly future is up in the air after the drama surrounding his partnership with Amanda. After being forced to postpone his cosmetics company's launch following the furore, some are wondering if he will return to the BBC show next September.
He already has a successful travel series with Strictly judge, Anton Du Beke, who he also performs with in their sold-out show Let Me Entertain You, An Evening With Anton Du Beke and Anton & Giovanni around the country.
Joanne Clifton, who won Strictly with Ore Oduba, hinted the Italian could quit, speaking on behalf of Betway Slots, saying: "Many of us would like to have a go at judging. I completely get why Anton wanted to. I can see Giovanni Pernice going for it in a couple of years’ time."
However, an insider told MailOnline conversations regarding the dancer's long-term future on the BBC series "won't take place for months", adding Giovanni has no plans to step down from the dancing competition "just yet"...
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