Amanda Abbington surprised Strictly Come Dancing fans after confirming that she had dropped out of the show after missing week five due to health reasons. The actress shared a post on Instagram confirming that she had made the decision to leave the show altogether due to "personal reasons", and her partner Jonathan Goodwin has shared his thoughts.
Amanda’s post read: "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. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you."
Strictly stars and their children
- Strictly pro Gorka Marquez and former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson share two children, Mia, four, and baby Thiago.
- Strictly: It Takes Two host Janette Manrara and her dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec are parents to baby girl Lyra.
- Strictly winners Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley welcomed baby Minnie in January 2023.
- Former Strictly pros James and Ola Jordan share a daughter, three-year-old Ella.
- Former pro Pasha Kovalev and Rachel Riley share two daughters, Maven, three, and Noa, one.
- Strictly judge and ex-pro Anton du Beke and his wife Hannah share adorable six-year-old twins George and Henrietta.
- Former Strictly star Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella became parents to son Matteo in July 2000.
- Professional dancer Natalie Lowe and her husband James Knibbs welcomed their son Jack in December 2020.
- Ben Cohen and former Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff met in series 11 and now share a six-year-old daughter, Milena.
- Ex-Strictly pro Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe Hobbs are parents to Aurelia, age 10, and Dante, five.
While inundated with support, her partner Jonathan also wrote a comment on her goodbye post, which read: "You are so incredible. So unbelievably beautiful but also incredibly brave. I’m so proud to be your man xx."
© Guy LevyFans were quick to respond to him, with one writing: "Aw I love the love you have for one another, if people were like you and Amanda the world would be such a better place," while another person added: "@amanda_abbington74 is lucky to have you by her side, hold her tight and give her an extra big hug from all of us."
© Ken McKay/ITV/ShutterstockJonathan, who previously starred on Britain’s Got Talent, has been supporting Amanda through her Strictly journey, last sharing a snap of her following week two of the competition. At the time, he wrote: "Well week 2 of @bbcstrictly was just extraordinary. It’s so much fun to be there supporting the love of my life. @amanda_abbington74 is just the nicest, kindest and quite honestly the best person I’ve ever met. I’m so very lucky. What a dance. Literally didn’t breathe from start to finish. Haven’t properly started breathing yet 15 hours later. #SalsaQueen."
© Ray BurnistonAmanda has yet to reference her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, but the pro did share a sweet post in tribute to their time on the show. Sharing a photo of them backstage, he 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."
