25 October 2023 , 12:46
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Giovanni Pernice appeared downcast as he was pictured out and about in public for the first time since his celebrity partner quit this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The Italian dancer, 33, cut a glum figure as he was snapped in a black jacket amid reports his partner Amanda Abbington quit the BBC competition after reportedly becoming "fragile and frazzled" due to his "tough" training sessions. It's been claimed Strictly insiders "aren't surprised" the Sherlock actress withdrew from the competition.
Fleur East announced Amanda Strictly exit on It Takes Two on Monday night, with a spokesperson for the BBC series 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."
Giovanni Pernice looked downcast as he was pictured for the first time since his partner's snub (MJ-Pictures.com)Giovanni was quick to "send so much love" to Amanda on Instagram following the announcement, but it’s since been alleged the Italian dancer and the actress didn’t get on too well behind the scenes. Amanda failed to mention Giovanni when she shared a statement with her Instagram followers on Tuesday morning, instead thanking production staff and "everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring".
"We will miss you," Gorka Marquez penned in the comments underneath the post, with Jowita Przystal echoing her fellow professional as she told Amanda: "Take care darling we will miss you ! Sending lots of love." Giovanni is yet to like or comment on his celebrity partner's Instagram post.
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It's been claimed Amanda found Giovanni's training method's 'tough' (MJ-Pictures.com)
The actress didn't mention her dance partner in her exit statement (MJ-Pictures.com)The Italian dancer, who lifted the Glitterball trophy in 2021, broke his silence regarding Amanda’s exit on Instagram on Monday night. Sharing a snap of himself and Amanda taken backstage during Movie Week, Giovanni 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." Amanda is yet to like or comment on Giovanni’s tribute.
It's since been claimed Amanda and Giovanni didn't "gel", with the mum-of-two 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."
They went on to add: "He was quite tough and she found that difficult. If she wasn't very well, that wouldn't have helped. She was with a partner that had a certain training style that she couldn't cope with. Whether that came to a head or whether there's something else going on I don't know."
Giovanni reportedly has no desire to walk away from Strictly Come Dancing despite another disappointing series for the 2021 champion. The dancer, who lifted the Glitterball trophy with Rose Ayling-Ellis two years ago, is said to be focusing on supporting his co-stars every Saturday throughout the rest of this season before making any decisions about his future.
Giovanni paid tribute to his celebrity dance partner when her Strictly exit was announced on Monday (MJ-Pictures.com)
The professional dancer shared this backstage snap on Instagram as he sent Amanda some love (giovannipernice/instagram)As Giovanni was forced to push back the launch of his cosmetic range on Tuesday, a source claimed: "Giovanni is really disappointed that Amanda's time on Strictly has come to a premature end. He wanted nothing more than to continue competing with her by his side.
"It was set to be such a big week for him with the launch of his new business GP Vita but after Amanda's announcement, it didn't feel right for him to go forward with the scheduled plan," the insider continued, going on to point out how some Strictly fans are already "doubting Giovanni's place on the show next year".
However, the insider reassured Giovanni's fans and told the MailOnline conversations regarding the dancer's long-term future on the BBC series "won't take place for months" and he currently doesn't have any plans to step down from the dancing competition "just yet".
Inside No.9 actress Amanda's withdrawal from this year’s season of Strictly follows the mum-of-two missing this weekend’s live show due to medical reasons but granted a bye to Halloween week.
On Friday, It Takes Two host Janette Manrara told viewers of Strictly’s sister show: "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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A representative for Strictly Come Dancing went on to tell The Mirror in a further statement of Amanda's break from the show: "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, on Monday night it was confirmed Amanda would not be returning to the competition and had withdrawn. It’s understood the 21st series of Strictly will continue as normal with a couple being voted off each week following a dance-off in front of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
Amanda’s statement in full regarding her decision to leave Strictly reads: "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."