Amanda Abbington and Giovanni's fallout - 'blanked' for days and 'final insult'

25 October 2023 , 08:35

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Amanda Abbington and Giovanni's fallout - 'blanked' for days and 'final insult'

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice is said to have been left blindsided by Amanda Abbington's decision to quit the programme.

In recent weeks, the pair have been plagued by rumours of a feud, although neither have directly addressed the claims directly. On Monday, it was announced that Amanda had decided to withdraw from the competition for personal reasons after a 'medical issue'.

The bombshell came after the Mr Selfridge actress also missed out on the live Saturday show and cited ill health for her decision but was expected to make a full return. But sources claimed she was "fed up" and decided to make the tough decision to pull out, with the 49-year-old later expressing her sadness.

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice had been at the centre of feud rumours for weeks (PA)

Amanda has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

But sources now claim that Giovanni, 33, was given no prior warning to the shock decision that was announced earlier in the week. Fans have also noticed that Amanda failed to mention her dancing partner as she took to social media to explain her "deepest regret" for withdrawing, with many taking this as a sign of a feud.

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 adds that Giovanni is said to be worried that the drama could potentially affect his dancing career and "make him look bad".

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Prior to their dramatic fallout, Amanda was said to be miserable over Giovanni's "aggressive training style and attitude". A source claimed to The Sun that the Italian's teaching methods can be "incredible brusque" and upset his partners, with Amanda allegedly finding rehearsals difficult despite wanting to work with him.

However, 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", before adding: "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."

Amanda added fuel to the feud rumours (BBC)

But while she may have previously silenced the claims, Amanda, unlike her predecessors made no mention of Giovanni in her official exit statement which she shared online. Taking to Instagram in view of her 137,000 followers, 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." But while many were quick to send well wishes, several noticed that there was no mention of Giovanni.

"I think Amanda you have forgotten somebody there, what about a mention for your partner?" asked one. A second penned: "Not even a mention for Giovanni. Either you are just being rude or your post is skillfully written to make a point." Before a third wrote: "Even if you and Gio had fallen out, the courteous thing to do would be to thank him for the time and commitment he put in to teaching you how to dance over the past few weeks. Bit disappointing."

Although Amanda failed to mention Giovanni, he had shared a gushing post about the actress with an adorable snap of the pair. Taking to Instagram, 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," alongside a heart.

Daniel Bird