Amanda Abbington is apparently seeking legal advice and has wanted to view film of herself exercising with her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice.
In October last year, it was reported that the Mr Selfridge actor, 51, had exited the programme, when she published a statement on Instagram saying that she had withdrew from the competition due to ‘personal circumstances’.
In his own post to mark Amanda’s departure, Giovanni, 33, 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 ♥️.’
Following her withdrawal, it was stated that Amanda was not asked back to the Strictly final, despite Nigel Harman being spotted in the studio for the big finale, which saw Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola lift the Glitterball Trophy.
According to latest reports, Amanda has demanded video from rehearsals she had with Giovanni while they were still practicing for the programme together, and she has allegedly sought legal counsel.
A source told The Sun: ‘The BBC have received a request for the footage they hold of Amanda and Giovanni. It is known as a data subject access request.
‘There is a feeling that the recordings will lift the lid on what really goes on behind the scenes on Strictly. Things in rehearsals can become very tense.’
They claimed Giovanni, who they characterised as a “perfectionist,” can be “incredibly full-on.”
A source alleged that Amanda ‘has been left broken and saddened by the whole experience’ of being on Strictly, and it’s ‘taken her months to get over what she went through’.
They claimed that the actress was ‘really stressed by having to spend eight hours a day with Giovanni’, and ‘spent a lot of time crying’.
Amanda and Giovanni were on Strictly for four weeks and received a score of 31 out of 40 for their last dance, the Foxtrot.
The pair did not appear in week five since the Sherlock actor was obliged to take a week off owing to “medical reasons.”
She dropped out of the tournament the next week.
In her statement announcing her exit, she wrote: ‘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.
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‘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. xxx.’
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.