Amanda Abbington has stepped down from Strictly Come Dancing 2023, which means her partner Giovanni Pernice will also depart the BBC show.
The Sherlock actress, whose ex-husband is Martin Freeman, issued a statement earlier today stating that she ‘did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons, I am unable to continue.’
Giovanni simply 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.’
The 51-year-old isn’t the first star who has had to make the painful decision to leave their destiny up to the results show and exit the competition early.
Ten more prominent faces have had to step out without going through the conventional way of competing for their position in the dreaded dance-off…
Tony Adams – 2022
Tony Adams decided not to compete after finishing in the bottom two with partner Katya Jones.
Tony, 57, chose to withdraw from the competition due to an injury he got on the main show. This meant Tyler West and Dianne Buswell got to the next week without having to dance again (though they did quit the next week).
The England captain agreed to participate in the broadcast in order to communicate the message that if you are suffering from a mental condition, don’t be scared to seek treatment. He eventually discovered a lot about himself.
‘I’ve got to be honest, it’s tough, physically it’s really tough… but dancing is really fantastic for you,’ he shared.
‘Go out there and enjoy it and pick up new skills and explore. I suppose I had better mention this one [Katya] hadn’t I, she is an exceptional human being, she really is.’
Robert Webb – 2021
The 51-year-old Peep Show star was urged to withdraw on doctor’s instructions after experiencing’symptoms’ that necessitated a ‘urgent visit’ with a doctor.
Robert had previously had emergency heart surgery for a mitral valve prolapse identified during a regular medical examination.
In a statement, he said: ‘I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health.
‘Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
‘I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.
‘I’m proud of the three dances that Dianne Buswell and I managed to perform and deeply regret having to let her down like this. I couldn’t have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher, and it’s a measure of Dianne’s professionalism and kindness that I was able to get as far as I did.’
Robert added that he was ‘especially touched by the support from fellow heart patients’ and hoped he hadn’t let them down.
Nicola Adams – 2020
The boxer made Strictly history as part of the show’s first-ever same-sex coupling.
Unfortunately, the journey was cut short when Katya, 34, tested positive for Covid-19.
The 40-year-old said she was ‘absolutely devastated’ to be leaving early as she had ‘so many people to win this for!’
They were permitted to return for the final, when they did a unique routine to Nina Simone’s Feeling Good.
The beautiful dance was praised by viewers at home. ‘Love that they gave them a chance to come back and wow what a performance! Katya is an absolute genius at the choreography,’ wrote one fan.
Will Bayley – 2019
The British Paralympic table tennis player competed in the 17th series with Janette Manrara but was forced to withdraw in week five owing to a knee injury.
He took the choice to avoid jeopardising his chances of competing in the Paralympics in Tokyo the following year. The 35-year-old went on to take silver in the renowned games.
Will felt distraught when discussing his early exit on It Takes Two and was comforted by Janette, 39.
‘It’s gutting, isn’t it?’ he moaned through tears.
‘I didn’t want it to end like this, I wouldn’t mind properly ending it, even if we went out next week or the week before, but I didn’t want to end it like this. ‘To do the salsa and getting you up in those lifts, I never thought I could do half of the stuff – but I was scared of dancing and [Janette] believed in me.’
Jamie Laing – 2019
Jamie Laing, 34, had to withdraw from the competition before the live events began due to a foot injury.
The Made in Chelsea star was supposed to appear on the 2019 season of the programme, but she had to withdraw after landing awkwardly during the group dance on the pre-recorded inaugural episode.
The reality star was replaced by Emmerdale’s Kevin Fletcher, who went on to win the entire competition with his would-be partner Obi Mabuse.
Jamie eventually made his dance debut the following year, when he competed in the 18th season partnered Karen Hauer, finishing as runner-up.
Oti, 33, took first place once more, this time with Bill Bailey by her side.
Will Young – 2016
Despite being high on the scoreboard, singer Will Young, 44, who was partnered with Karen, 41, abruptly exited the competition after week three.
‘I was just very ill,’ he told Event magazine in 2019.
‘There’s no way I should’ve been doing that show. I tried to back out of it actually. Then got persuaded back by being told, “Will the BBC want to work with you? You’re risking a lot”.’
He added: ‘So I did it, but with panic attacks the whole time. I would keep going out for a cigarette and think, “I don’t really want to be here”. Then I thought, “I don’t have to be here”, so I left.
‘It was so liberating, the best thing I ever did. You’ve only got one life.’
Jade Johnson – 2009
Jade, a 43-year-old track and field athlete, resigned from Strictly after hearing her knee ‘crack’ during preparations.
Speaking about her departure, she said: ‘I’m a competitor and I don’t give up easily so I’m absolutely gutted that it means that I can’t continue dancing in the show.
‘I’ve had a great time and really enjoyed learning to dance, and I am going to miss training with Ian (Waite) who has been a fantastic partner.’
She blamed Strictly for her inability to compete for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.
‘Strictly has cost me my place in the Olympics. I thought the show injury had healed and I was ready to compete. Sadly it flared up just before the trials and made it impossible to get through them.’
John Sergeant – 2008
John, 79, chose to give up because he believed he could win. If anyone is curious, this is also why we forged a note from our parents in order to skip PE.
The BBC’s former Chief Political Correspondent voluntarily left the show in Week 10 following a farewell dance, saying: ‘The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition.’
Lifting the glitterball award, he thought, would be ‘a joke too far.’
John, who was paired with Kristina Rihanoff, continually finished at the bottom of the scoreboard, but the audience continued voting him through to the next round, so it was possible.
Following his departure, Tom Chambers won the series. Things may have turned out differently if John had stayed.
Kelly Brook – 2007
Following the loss of her father from illness, model Kelly Brook, 43, opted to leave the fifth season of the show.
Kelly, who was one of the favourites to win, had intended to continue with the programme and dance in memory of her father, but found it too painful.
The radio DJ, who was partnered with Brendan Cole at the time, would be interested in returning to the famous show.
‘I would love to do it again, I don’t think I’d ever be asked to do it again, but it was probably one of my favourite jobs ever,’ she shared.
‘I got quite far down the line and I’d learned so much by kind of week eight that coming back, I’d have such an unfair advantage over anyone who was starting from scratch.’
Kelly, on the other hand, acknowledged that she had forgotten many of the techniques.
Jimmy Tarbuck – 2006
The first celebrity sashay away before their appearance on Strictly in 2006.
On the show, Jimmy Tarbuck, now 83, worked alongside Flavia Cacace.
He had to pull out after health complications, with a BBC statement at the time explaining: ‘Following a doctor’s assessment this week, Jimmy, the doctors and the BBC have come to the decision that for the good of Jimmy’s health he should no longer take part.’
The comedian was gutted about it and said: ‘I’m absolutely devastated that I can no longer take part.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.
