24 October 2023 , 13:53
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Amanda Abbington's fiancé has paid an emotional tribute to the actress after she decided to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The Mr Selfridge star made the decision to no longer take part in the BBC dance competition after missing the live show over the weekend. On Tuesday, she explained her exit "didn't come easily" and that she was departing Strictly for "personal reasons". In a statement posted on her Instagram, she thanked her co-stars, production team and viewers.
She wrote: "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.
Amanda's fiancé Jonathan sent a heartfelt message to the star (Dave Benett/Getty Images)"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
Amanda's Britain's Got Talent star fiancé Jonathan Goodwin shared a gushing message to the Strictly star under her post. He wrote: "You are so incredible. So unbelievably beautiful but also incredibly brave. I’m so proud to be your man xx." They had a whirlwind romance at the start of the relationship, where they spent hours talking on the phone every day for seven weeks before he flew to Vienna to meet her in person for the first time. He proposed within thirty minutes of meeting.
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Fleur East announced the Sherlock star’s exit from the BBC series on It Takes Two on Monday night, with a Strictly spokesperson going on to add: "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."
Many fans noticed Amanda's statement failed to mention her dance partner and mentor Giovanni Pernice. It comes amid rumours of a fallout between the pair backstage. In the first week of the show it was reported Amanda would not perform after being unimpressed with Giovanni's "aggressive" training style.
A source told The Sun at the time: "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."
Sparking further feud rumours, Amanda failed to acknowledge Giovanni's sweet message following their exit from the show. Sharing a pic of himself with Amanda backstage in their pyjamas, he 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."
Amanda previously shared her excitement to be paired with the 33-year-old dancer and said: "I went nuts because I wanted Giovanni, so it was a really lovely surprise." The news comes after the pair didn't dance on Saturday night due to medical reasons. Speaking to the Daily Star, an insider claimed Amanda was "fed up".
"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," they shared. Giovanni still made an appearance over the weekend on Strictly as he was all smiles during the group routine.