Amanda Abbington's reason for not attending Strictly final and why she quit
The Strictly Come Dancing final is happening this Saturday – but not all this year’s contestants will be making an appearance.
Fans will have to wait to see who will lift the famous glitterball trophy after Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and partner Vito Coppola, EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell and Bad Education and West End star Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin were announced as the final three couples.
But the Mirror exclusively revealed that Mr Selfridge and Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, who quit the show following reports of a ‘feud’ with pro partner Giovanni Pernice, would not be returning for the live finale, which usually sees all the contestants reunite for one last dance.
Amanda dropped out of the show in week five, citing medical reasons, and was waved through to the next round. But days later, she announced she was quitting the show for good and wrote on she was “unable” to continue due to personal reasons.
Here we look at why Amanda really quit the show despite her and Giovanni being billed as ‘ones to watch’ and what went down behind the scenes that was so bad she doesn’t want to come back for the finale.
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Amanda and Gio are said to have had a frosty friendship from the start (BBC)Blazing rows before show started
Before this year’s first Strictly Come Dancing live shows had even kicked off, there were reports Giovanni was at loggerheads with Amanda. The actress was said to have been left “miserable” by the Italian's "strict and aggressive style and attitude” during training sessions.
Things were reportedly so bad Amanda is said to have considered quitting the competition before setting foot on the dancefloor. But despite the early setback, the pair put on a united front and both denied rumours of a rift.
Appearing 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 in rehearsals right?" to which Amanda replied: "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?"
Amanda's bizarre social media rant
In a bid to silence the speculation surrounding the pair, Amanda hit out at the claims with a sweary rant on her Instagram page, branding it "bulls**t".
Insisting things were “all good” between her and Gio, the 51-year-old told fans she was wearing a jacket which said ‘who cares what other people think’, adding: “Because who does care what other people think, there’s a life lesson.”
Seeming to address the feud claims she said she was: “Ignoring the bulls***, because clearly people are t****.” Turning the air blue, Amanda added: “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."
There were rumours of a rift between Amanda and pro partner Giovanni (BBC)Amanda pulls out of live show
In a shock to Strictly fans, it was announced hours before week five's episode that Amanda would not take to the dance floor on October 21 for 'medical reasons'.
It Takes Two host Janette Manrara told viewers: "We have some breaking news, unfortunately due to medical reasons, Amanda 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. Amanda we hope you get well soon my love, sending you all the best wishes!"
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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...
Why did Amanda quit Strictly?
After much speculation surrounding her mysterious no-show on the Saturday, the BBC confirmed Amanda's permanent exit from the show a few days later on the Monday night.
It Takes Two host Fleur East confirmed the news reading a statement out on air which 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."
But behind the scenes, Giovanni was said to be 'fuming' Amanda had suddenly quit after giving him 'no warning'. Speaking to the Daily Star, a source said: "Amanda didn't tell Giovanni she had decided to quit the show. The first he heard was a call from a producer. 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 mole added that Giovanni was worried that the drama could potentially affect his dancing career and "make him look bad".
Gio posted this last photo with Amanda as he wished her well (Instagram)
But Amanda snubbed Gio in her exit statement (BBC/Guy Levy)Final snub to Gio
Though neither Amanda or Gio have publicly confirmed or commented on their alleged 'feud', things certainly appeared frosty between the pair when Amanda released a statement thanking everyone but him for her time on the show.
As Gio shared a photo of the pair on Instagram after Amanda's shock exit news, he wrote: "I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love."
In contrast, Amanda posted a photo of some gold dancing shoes on October 24 and told fans: "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 "incredible production team" and "everyone on Strictly who looked after me", but stopped short of mentioning Gio by name. She ended the post by saying: "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."
Amanda refused to return for final
Despite BBC bosses said to be desperate to get Amanda back for the final show of the series, she has apparently refused.
A source told the Mirror: “There have understandably been lots of questions asked about Amanda’s sudden departure. That has been difficult – especially for Giovanni, who has been upset about people seeing it as a reflection on him. Though they clashed at times, he genuinely wishes her all the best.”
Producers were said to be keen for Amanda to reunite with Giovanni to show there was “no bad blood”. The source added: “They wanted to position her as still very much part of the Strictly family, but Amanda’s response to the invitation was she’d not be back. It’s a shame, because her exit has been a sour note to the series this year.”
*The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on the BBC at 7pm on Saturday, December 16
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