Inside Amanda Abbington's turbulent final week with Strictly before sudden exit
While it was a given that Amanda Abbington would be able to put on a great performance on Strictly Come Dancing given her acting career, BBC viewers were left impressed week in and week out when she hit the dancefloor showcasing her surprising dance ability. The 49-year-old Sherlock star dazzled in the Rumba and Foxtrot alongside arguably one of the show's favourite professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice.
However their time together in the competition wasn't meant to be and was cut short, with Amanda announcing her shock withdrawal earlier this week. A spokesperson for Strictly 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." Before her dramatic exit, the Mr Selfridge star had missed the weekend's show due to 'medical reasons', prompting many fans to question what was wrong. Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly addressed Amanda's absence and sent their support to the star.
"As per the rules of the competition, she's been given a bye and all being well will return to the ballroom next weekend. Amanda, we are all sending you so much love," Tess told BBC viewers on Saturday night. It came after it was formally announced on Friday night's edition of Strictly: It Takes Two, with host Janette Manrara sharing: "We have some breaking news.
Amanda vented her frustrations in a social media video to fans (Instagram)
Amanda has quit Strictly (BBC/Ray Burmiston)"Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, Amanda will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend." The following morning, the mum-of-two shared a poignant message with her Instagram followers, including a photo and quote from late actor Robin Williams, reminding people: "People don't fake depression... they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."
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A source told the Daily Star that Amanda had been "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." Before then, rumours had swirled that she wasn't getting on with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, who attended Saturday's show alone. However Amanda's representatives hit back against the reported feud, deeming it untrue.
The actress, who was previously in a 16-year relationship with actor Martin Freeman, also took to social media before one of the live shows in September in a bid to set the record straight. After wishing her followers a 'happy Saturday', she said she was 'at work' before correctly herself to say she was at Strictly HQ, which was "just fun isn't it, it's fun shenanigans."
Pulling a face at the camera, she said: "I'm wearing my jacket that says 'Who cares what other people think?'" Seeming to address the feud claims, she added: "Ignoring the bulls***, because clearly people are t****." And continued in a sweary rant: "Just stop it, stop it, grow up. No one gives a s***. Shut up, it’s b****cks, so f*** off. You know who I’m talking to as well. Come on, jog on, it’s nonsense and you know it’s nonsense. It's all good."
Are you sad to see Amanda and Giovanni leave Strictly? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
At the start of the series, Amanda revealed she had been in the Strictly studio since 6am for the dress rehearsals before the first live show. She revealed she was "cr**ping herself out of fear and anxiety" and had an anxiety dream last night that she forgot her steps. "So it's the first live show. I’ve been up since 6am. I had one of those anxiety dreams where you can’t remember what you’re doing, you forget your lines or you forget your dance. That’s what I did today. I won’t because it’s been drilled [into me]. Those anxiety dreams suck, don’t they?" the TV star said in the five-minute clip.
Following speculation, on Tuesday, Amanda published her own statement on her exit to her social media. She explained that the decision to hang up her dancing shoes didn't come 'lightly'.
But as she thanked the Strictly team, she failed to directly reference her professional partner Giovanni Pernice, which many say proves exactly what she thought of her pairing which was plagued by feud rumours. Sharing an image of a pair of shoes, Amanda revealed that she withdrew from the competition due to "personal reasons".
The 49-year-old mum-of-two thanked the production team and "everyone on Strictly" in her statement, telling her Instagram followers: "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."
She added: "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."
Meanwhile, Giovanni broke his silence on social media on Monday night after Strictly announced Amanda's exit from the show. Sharing a snap of himself and Amanda taken backstage during Movie Week, the 2021 Strictly winner wrote: "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."
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When Amanda last appeared on the show, she scored 31 for a quick-footed foxtrot to Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, one of her favourite bands. And during Movie Week, she achieved 30 points for her Bridget Jones-inspired rumba to Out of Reach by Gabrielle.
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