Amanda Abbington breaks silence on PTSD battle as she receives death threats
Amanda Abbington has opened up about the health diagnosis that led her to quit Strictly Come Dancing after being sent death threats from upset fans.
The 51-year-old actress has said she was diagnosed with mild PTSD and received death threats over her stint on the BBC dance show.
Amanda, best known for playing Mary Watson in BBC drama Sherlock, withdrew from the celebrity dance competition before week six citing “personal reasons”. The decision was made after Amanda pulled out of the live show the previous week “due to medical reasons”.
Behind the scenes, there were bubbling rumours of training room rows between Amanda and her partner Giovanni Pernice. The actress was said to have been unhappy with 'perfectionist' Giovanni's methods of teaching.
Opening up about her experience this weekend, Amanda said: "I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally."
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Amanda Abbington was reportedly left "broken and saddened" by her experience on the show (Pixel8000)She went on: “I’m very sorry that people felt the need to send me death threats, threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health. I wish those people well.”
Abbington did not give a specific reason when she announced her decision to leave the show in October, saying in a post on Instagram : “I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.”
During her Strictly appearance, she performed alongside professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice and received praise from the judges. Before the series began, Amanda addressed a social media storm about comments she made about drag acts performing in front of children.
Amanda defended her remarks in August saying she “loves drag queens” and is “not a transphobic person” and “a firm supporter of the legitimate trans community”.
Meanwhile, professional dancer Giovanni spoke out this week to thank fans for their support. He wrote on Thursday: “I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent messages of support over the last week — I really truly appreciate it — thank you thank you thank you.”
His 2017 dance partner Debbie McGee, 65, spoke out in his defence as well as head judge Shirley Ballas. The BBC has insisted there will be no investigation into his conduct. A spokesman said: “There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.”
As well as her Sherlock fame, Amanda Abbington has appeared in other TV series including Inside No 9, Mr Selfridge and After You’ve Gone. Amanda shares two children – son Joe and daughter Grace – with her former long-term partner and Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman.
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