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It was then revealed on Monday evening (23 October) that she had “withdrawn from the competition”.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
A special UK exclusive screening of the new Star Wars movie is taking place here in Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all die-hard Star Wars fans across the galaxy (or at least here in Britain, anyway), a special screening of the franchise’s newest film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is coming exclusively to a Manchester cinema.
Even better still, it’s the only place in the UK that will be showing it. So damn cool.
The new spin-off set to land in theatres this month is the latest addition to the Star Wars cinematic universe and expands the hit Mandalorian TV series.
Most exciting regarding its domestic release here in the likes of Manchester, the VUE cinema in the Printworks is the only place putting on the IMAX version of the new movie.
Made specifically for IMAX, this is the first Star Wars film shot for and using fully IMAX-certified digital cameras and designed specifically for the experience.
The Mandalorian and Grogu – which is set to drop later this week – features 53 minutes presented in Printworks Manchester’s towering IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
Aimed to maximise screen size, deliver the most high-end visuals as possible, and further help with overall immersion, there really is nothing quite like it.
If you’ve ever seen a film in IMAX, you’ll know just how much extra enjoyment it brings.
With the Printworks branch selected as the UK’s exclusive destination for the film’s expanded 1.43:1 IMAX presentation, Greater Manchester are in for an absolute treat.
You can see the most recent trailer down below.
Let’s just say it’s received ‘mixed’ reviews, so far…
To celebrate launch day even further, VUE Printworks will also be hosting a limited one-off early morning screening at 6am, giving the most dedicated fans a chance to be among the first audiences in the country to see Din Djarin and Grogu make their big screen debut.
If anything, the seemingly divisive early reactions to the full feature film expansion of the ‘Mando’ lore have kind of made us want to watch it even more.
As always with these things, we’d encourage you to go along and make your own mind up, but we’ll be honest: our heavy Star Wars obsession will most likely make us biased to love this almost unconditionally. Tickets are live now right HERE.
Will you be going to see it?
Just over 2 hours, The Mandalorian and Grogu film hits streaming later this year. (Credit: The Manc)
Erling Haaland is set to make his acting debut later this year
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland is set to make his debut film appearance later this year in his first proper voice acting job as part of an animated movie.
Let’s just say our obsessive countdown until the release date starts NOW.
The Premier League player and sporting superstar has obviously featured on camera plenty since bursting onto the scene – not least of all for his own YouTube channel – but this will be new territory for the Norwegian.
Rather fittingly for the Scandinavian striker, he’s not only playing a Viking character in the upcoming animation, ViQueens, but he’s also basically set to play a version of himself.
Soccer Superstar Erling Haaland to Play Animated Viking in Film Debut (Exclusive) https://t.co/r6uxxOClJI
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the new film by fellow compatriot and director, Harald Zwart, who is best known for the likes of Agent Cody Banks, the 2010 Karate Kid reboot, and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
He also directed comedian Steve Martin’s second outing as The Pink Panther, so it’s safe to say he’s got a funny bone or two.
That being said, it feels like the 25-year-old will be able to have some fun with this script, in which he is set to play a Viking of the same name – because of course he is.
While it’s still yet to be revealed as to just how big a role he will have in the feature film set to arrive this winter, what we know so far is that the film is an action-comedy adventure revolving around a “world of fearless warrior girls, icy fjords, and Silk Road mythology.”
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t even the first time we’ve seen a cartoon version of Erling Haaland brought to life, as he also popped up in the world of gaming a little while back.
The career of a top footballer really can be a crazy one, can’t it?
Speaking on the film, director and co-writer Zwart told the outlet: “As a Norwegian storyteller making a Viking adventure for a global audience, having Erling Haaland join ViQueens feels incredibly exciting.
“Erling has already become a kind of real-life Viking icon around the world – powerful, fearless, and uniquely Norwegian. Bringing him into this universe as himself gives the film an unexpected energy and authenticity that felt completely right for this story.”
Other famous faces set to star in the animation, which is set to release this December, include singer-turned-actor Rita Ora and Ella Purnell (Fallout, Arcane, Sweetpea), who are starring as the two lead characters and voice actors.
Emily Sergeant -
25th October 2023 
