Amanda Abbington’s fiancé Jonathan Goodwin has called the star “incredibly brave” after she quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The Sherlock actress was on the current series of the BBC ballroom show but this week announced that she was leaving. It Takes Two host Fleur East announced the news, reading out a statement saying: “Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition.”
Amanda, 49, has since posted a moving message on Instagram, saying that she could not continue “for personal reasons” and that she pulled out “with deepest regret”. Friends and fans flocked to the comments section to post supportive messages after the star’s post.
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And former Britain’s Got Talent stuntman Jonathan – who got engaged to the actress in 2021 – was among those to chime in. “You are so incredible,” he posted. “So unbelievably beautiful but also incredibly brave. I’m so proud to be your man.”
(Image: Instagram/ @jonathangoodwinofficial)
Amanda, who was paired with pro Giovanni Pernice on the dancefloor, had missed last week’s Strictly for medical reasons but it was thought she was coming back. In her post on Instagram, she said she was “so sad” about her journey on the programme being over.
“It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly,” the star wrote alongside a photo of a pair of shoes. “I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.
(Image: BBC)
“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,” she added. “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.”
(Image: Instagram/amanda_abbington74)
Both Amanda and Jonathan failed to mention Gio in their posts following her departure from the show. But Gio 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_abbington74 @bbcstrictly.”
The actress was previously in a relationship with Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman but they split in 2016 and she has now found love again with Jonathan. He is known for performing daring feats on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, but was left in a wheelchair after a stunt went wrong in 2021.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
