Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman spoke about Amanda Abbington’s shock departure from Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday’s live show.
The 51-year-old actress withdrew from the show due to ‘personal reasons’ after she and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice did not perform during last Saturday’s episode.
Amanda did not say why she quit, but said she did not come to the decision ‘lightly’ as insiders claimed her time on the show was ‘plagued with difficulties’.
Hosts Tess and Claudia addressed her surprise departure at the start of the show, telling viewers: ‘Earlier this week, Amanda Abbington withdrew from the competition.
They added, “We’re sending you all our love,” and the studio audience then joined in for a round of applause.
Sending love: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman spoke about Amanda Abbington’s shock departure from Strictly Come Dancing during Saturday’s live show
Exit: The 51-year-old actress withdrew from the show due to ‘personal reasons’ after she and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice did not perform during last Saturday’s episode
Tough time: Amanda didn’t say why she quit, but said she didn’t come to the decision lightly as insiders claimed her time on the show was ‘plagued with difficulties’
In an exit statement this week, Amanda thanked her team but fueled rumors of a feud with Giovanni by not naming the dancer.
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.
‘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. xxx’.
Giovanni later took to his Instagram and shared a backstage photo with Amanda during Movie Week.
He captioned the photo: ‘Amanda..I’m so sad we can’t continue but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and sending you so much love.’
On Monday’s It Takes Two, the show confirmed Amanda’s 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.”
Speaking: Presenters Tess and Claudia spoke about her surprise departure at the start of the show, telling viewers: ‘Earlier this week, Amanda Abbington withdrew from the competition. We send you all our love’
Speculation: Amanda thanked her team in an exit statement this week, but fueled rumors of a feud with Giovanni by not naming the dancer
A Strictly insider told MailOnline of Amanda’s withdrawal: ‘This is something Amanda has unfortunately had to think about since the end of last week.
‘It has been a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey was plagued with difficulties, but she just didn’t think there was any other option. As hard as it was, there was a chance they could have won.”
After seven years on the BBC show, some Strictly viewers are predicting this could be Giovanni’s last season appearing with a celebrity partner.
One wrote: ‘I think this is your last year… you’ve outgrown Strictly and I think you know it.’
Another said: ‘I’m devastated for you. I supported you both and voted. Will we see you dancing on Strictly next year?’
But sources close to Giovanni say that while these talks won’t happen until 2024, he isn’t even considering leaving the show.
Amanda reportedly didn’t know what she was signing up for by signing up for the BBC dance show – amid speculation she failed to ‘gel’ with Giovanni.
The star was ‘exhausted and vulnerable’ and insiders are not surprised she has left the programme, according to the Telegraph.
Sweet post: Giovanni later took to his Instagram, sharing a backstage photo with Amanda during Movie Week and sharing kind words
While it is currently unclear what the official reason for Amanda’s departure from the program is, viewers are beginning to speculate as to why she quit when she seemingly has so much promise and talent in her.
Amid the growing speculation, an insider told the Telegraph: ‘It could be that she didn’t know what she was doing.’
“They weren’t gelling from the start. Apparently they put a brave face on it, but the problem was clearly not solved.’
The source continues: ‘He was quite tough and she found that difficult. If she wasn’t doing so well, it wouldn’t have helped.
‘She was with a partner who had a certain training style that she couldn’t cope with. I don’t know whether that has come to a head or whether something else is going on.’