Amanda Abbington brutally snubbed her dance partner Giovanni Pernice as she said her goodbyes to Strictly Come Dancing following her sudden exit.
The mum-of-two explained her decision "didn't come easily" and that she was departing the popular dancing programme for "personal reasons". She released a full statement on Tuesday. Amanda said she had 'deep regret' and went on to thank her co-stars, without mentioning her mentor Giovanni once.
The star took time to thank the contestants and the production team but shared no message for her dance partner. The move comes amid rumours the pair have had a fallout behind the scenes. In the first week of the show it was even reported that Amanda would not perform after being unimpressed with Giovanni's 'aggressive' training style.
Pouring fuel on to the flames, the Sherlock actress, 49, wrote in her goodbye post: "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."
Amanda finally broke her silence on her exit from Strictly Come Dancing (PA)Amanda added: "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.
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"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."
It was last month that Amanda threatened to quit the show after a number of rows with Giovanni. It was said at the time that Amanda was left feeling miserable over Giovanni's "aggressive training style and attitude" during their training sessions.
A source told The Sun: "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."
Also adding to feud rumours, Giovanni sent Amanda a sweet message following her exit from Strictly, but she never responded. Sharing a sweet picture of him and 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 after it was revealed she was paired with the 33-year-old dancer and said: "I went nuts because I wanted Giovanni, so it was a really lovely surprise."
Amanda and Giovanni have been embroiled in feud rumours (BBC)Her latest statement follows a source claiming she pulled out of the BBC show after missing this weekend's live performances due to medical reasons. Speaking to the Daily Star, an insider claimed Amanda made the decision to quit the competition completely and 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 added when speaking with the publication.
Despite Amanda's absence from the show over the weekend, Giovanni still appeared on the dancefloor and was all smiles as he busted a move during group performances. The Italian star is yet to address Amanda's absence on social media.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning, following her absence from the live show being announced on Strictly: It Takes Two on Friday night, Amanda shared a poignant message with her followers ahead of the live show. The actress shared a post to her Stories from an account called @positiveminds011 as she broke her silence following the announcement. The image showed a picture of the late actor Robin Williams and the words: "People don't fake depression... they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."
Later the same day, as they hosted live show, Strictly Come Dancing's presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly acknowledged Amanda's absence from the dancefloor as they opened the live show.
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Following the stars and their professional dance partners making their grand entrances, Claudia told the audience and viewers watching at home: "Now as you may have noticed Amanda and Giovanni are missing from the line-up. Due to medical reasons, Amanda is unable to perform this week." Claudia's co-host Tess added: "As per the rules of the competition, she's been given a bye and all being well will return to the ballroom next weekend. Amanda, we are all sending you so much love."
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