Amanda Abbington has issued a statement after it was revealed this week that she was withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing for “personal reasons”.
The North London-born actress – whose career on the stage and screen has spanned over 30 years, and is best-known for her roles on ITV and BBC dramas Mr Selfridge and Sherlock – was partnered with veteran pro Giovanni Pernice on the current series of the ever-popular BBC reality competition show that’s been entertaining the masses each weekend for the last five weeks.
In what is a very strong year for the show, with many record-high scores and fan-favourite couples already emerging, the 49-year-old had been receiving plenty of praise from the judges.
And although she has been the subject of some online discussion and discourse over controversial comments she had previously made about the transgender community on social media earlier this year, the actress seemed popular with the voting public too, and was yet to find herself in the bottom two.
But in last week’s episode, it was revealed that Abbington was unable to compete – with undisclosed “medical reasons” cited as the reason.
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It was then revealed on Monday evening (23 October) that she had “withdrawn from the competition”.
A statement from Strictly Come Dancing:
"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."https://t.co/DdqwN6dACzpic.twitter.com/mnmj2axwZq
After much speculation on the nature of the situation, Strictly Come Dancing and BBC’s press office confirmed the news of Abbington’s withdrawal from the show with a statement that reads: “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.”
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And now finally, Abbington has broken her silence and spoken out in her own statement on social media.
Taking to Instagram yesterday to address the situation, Abbington’s statement reads in full: “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.”
Actress Amanda Abbington has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing / Credit: Ray Burmiston (via BBC)
Abbington closed out her statement by saying thank you to “everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support”.
“You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you,” she concluded.
Abbington’s professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, also issued his own statement on Instagram following the news, which reads: “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.”
Featured Image – Ray Burmiston (via BBC)
TV & Showbiz
Popular Channel 4 series The Dog House is looking for Mancs to adopt rescue dogs
Emily Sergeant
Could you give a rescue dog a second chance in life? Now’s your chance.
The next series of hit Channel 4 show The Dog House is currently in the works, with producers on the lookout for people willing to give rescue dogs a forever home, and Mancs are being encouraged to apply.
Since first hitting our screens back in 2019, the award-winning series – which is currently in partnership with Woodgreen Pets Charity – has captured the hearts of viewers across the UK, sharing emotional stories of rescue dogs and the people hoping to give them a forever home.
Viewers get to watch incredible journeys of rescue dogs finding their perfect match.
But the show demonstrates that it’s not just the dogs who are being rescued, many of their new owners also find their lives transformed in the process.
Popular Channel 4 series The Dog House is looking for Mancs to adopt rescue dogs / Credit: Channel 4
“Once again, we’ll be following the expert team of dog-matchers, meeting this year’s rescue dogs, and of course, getting to the know the amazing people who are looking to offer them a lifelong home,” a casting call for The Dog House reads on the Channel 4 website.
“We’re looking for people who are considering taking the incredible step of welcoming a rescue dog into their lives and are happy to share their reasons for doing so.
“If that’s you, then we’d love to get you know you.”
Does this sound like you then? Channel 4 is keen to hear the reasons why you may be looking for a new canine companion, so anyone who fancies applying for the show is asked to fill out an application form online.
Premier League launch completely FREE archive featuring highlights from every game since 1992
Danny Jones
Finally, in a bit of private sports broadcasting news we can actually get behind, the Premier League have launched a new archive featuring highlights from every single game in the first division’s modern era.
Best of all, as the title might have given away, it’s completely free to enjoy.
Chronicling every top-flight game since 1992, the new digital Premier League archive available online was launched earlier this week.
Providing video on-demand (VOD) access to literally thousands of games from way back when, you can relive all of your favourite moments from the best league in the world.
It might sound like quite a simple and easy thing to supply the masses with, but in an era when it’s increasingly hard and expensive to watch broadcast of any and all games, be that live on telly, via streaming, or VOD, this is such an easy win for the Prem.
With so many people struggling to afford all the various packages needed to view premium football, and therefore turning to illegal sites, this is at least a step in the right direction and a good bit of PR.
Sports presenter Nubaid Haroon wrote: “When I had my show with the Premier League, the archive was available via a login for us to watch some of the old tapes.
“It was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. Regularly tapping in to see random dons like Elmander and Nzogbia.”
For us, it’s going to be watching vintage clips of Michu, Adel Taarabt and Alan Smith – yes, for both Leeds AND Man United.
Safe to say the whole thing has gone down very well with pretty much all footy fans across the board.
Don't want to overstate this but 20-minute highlights of every Premier League game in history, free and on demand, means that this should be a national holiday.
Case in point: another user on social media went on to add, “The full Premier League archive? Finally. Time to disappear into 33 seasons of greatness.”
Happy days indeed.
We expect the positive reaction to this will only grow even greater as more and more people find out about this new free service.
You can find the near countless hours of Premier League football right HERE – which classic game that comes to mind are you going to watch first?
Emily Sergeant -
25th October 2023 
