As Amanda Abbington leaves Strictly Come Dancing for ‘personal reasons’… how will her abrupt departure affect the BBC show’s eliminations and scheduling?
If the show really must go on, one can’t help but think about the lasting impact Amanda Abbington’s abrupt departure from Strictly Come Dancing will have on the short-term future.
Despite consistently achieving impressive scores during her five-week run, the actress – along with Italian ballroom dancer Giovanni Pernice – surprised fans by leaving the show on Monday afternoon, almost two months before the grand finale and days after she left the live show of had missed Saturday due to ‘medical problems’. reasons.’
Abbington has since expanded on her decision in an Instagram post, shared with social media followers on Tuesday, citing unexplained “personal issues” as the catalyst for her untimely departure.
But viewers have been left wondering what it means for a live show with a tight schedule and a prime time slot on one of Britain’s biggest stations, with some wondering if there will be an elimination when the show returns for its sixth week on September 28.
Questions: If the show must go on, one can’t help but think about the lasting impact Amanda Abbington’s abrupt departure from Strictly Come Dancing will have on the short-term future
Everywhere: The actress confirmed she has left the show on Monday and expanded on her decision to leave in an Instagram shared with social media followers on Tuesday (photo)
Ultimately, the weekly eliminations will continue as normal, but Abbington’s departure means the grand finale on December 16 will feature three couples instead of the traditional four.
BBC producers suffered a similar headache in 2021 when comedian Robert Webb pulled out with a heart condition.
Weeks later, the coveted AJ Odudu was forced to withdraw from the finals after suffering an ankle injury, leaving only two contestants in the finals.
The coveted Glitter Ball was ultimately lifted by deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, while former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite finished in second place.
Sharing a photo of her gold dancing shoes on Instagram, Abbington didn’t reveal why she quit, but admitted she didn’t come to the decision lightly.
She wrote: ‘It is with the utmost regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly, but for personal reasons I cannot move forward.
‘It has been an absolute pleasure working with my fellow competitors, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and will miss seeing and competing together every Friday and Saturday.
‘I would like to thank the amazing production team and everyone at Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. They are a great bunch of people and I will miss them all.
Farewell: Abbington has cited ‘personal reasons’ as the catalyst for her early departure
Popular: Despite consistently achieving impressive scores during her five-week run, the actress – along with Italian ballroom dancer Giovanni Pernice – surprised fans by leaving the show
Devastated: Giovanni admitted he was sad to pull out of the show but said he was ‘proud of what they had achieved’
‘I’m so sad that I can’t continue. Thank you to everyone who voted and sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all wonderful. Really. Thank you.’
Abbington has received an outpouring of support from fans after leaving the show on Monday.
The actress withdrew from the competition after missing last weekend’s show due to ‘medical reasons’ and it has since emerged that her time in the competition was ‘plagued with difficulties’.
On Monday’s It Takes Two, the show confirmed her departure, releasing a statement saying: ‘Amanda Abbington cannot continue on Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition.
“The show wishes her all the best for the future.”