Strictly Come Dancing hopeful forced to pull out of competition for 'medical reasons' - details

Amanda Abbington has been forced to pull out of this week's Strictly Come Dancing due to "medical reasons".

Janette Manrara revealed the news on It Takes Two on Friday, sharing with fans: "We have some breaking news, unfortunately due to medical reasons, Amanda will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. 

"Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week. Amanda we hope you get well soon my love, sending you all the best wishes!" 

© Ray Burniston

Amanda has been partnered with pro dance partner Giovanni Pernice but neither have yet shared any further details. 

"Due to medical reasons Amanda Abbington will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week," a statement from the BBC read.

© Guy Levy

Actress Amanda has been consistently one of the better performers for the first three weeks of the series, scoring 31 points last week for her Foxtrot to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Everywhere', finishing high on the leaderboard. 

The duo were due to perform the Cha Cha Cha to 'Canned Heat' by Jamiroquai this Saturday night.

© BBC

In week two they scored 32 for their Salsa which was jam-packed with content and plenty of daring lifts. However, off the dance floor, there has been speculation that the pair aren't getting along, which they two have been swift to deny as they share uplifting messages for one another.

Giovanni hailed Amanda as "unbelieveable" during their debrief, tellfing Claudia Winkleman: "To trust me like that on week two. Lifts are a very difficult thing to do, the whole trust is on me."  

They also tried to shut down rift rumours during an appearance on It Take Takes, with Amanda sharing that they "laugh a lot, we have the same sense of humour which is really important. So we'll come out, work hard, and then we just laugh."

Giovanni, 33, added: "We do have a good time, but at the same time, obviously we have to do our dance. It's a difficult process, especially for people who have never done it Strictly before.

"I always say, 'It's a marathon, not a sprint.' The first few weeks are difficult, it is difficult, it's a lot of hours to train, a lot of hours to be concentrating but then when you get to Saturday and do what you did."

The Sherlock actress now lives with her famous fiancé, Jonathan Goodwin, whom fans may recognise as he appeared on America's Got Talent. He worked as a stuntman and during one daredevil escapade as part of the now-axed series America's Got Talent: Extreme, he was crushed by two cars on fire. 

The incident, which happened in 2021 was when he was trying to escape from a strait jacket while hanging upside down 30 feet in the air. He is now paralysed for life.