Amanda Abbington opted to keep her exit from Strictly Come Dancing mostly under wraps until now.
Amanda, 51, competed in four routines alongside Italian pro Giovanni Pernice, 33, before exiting the competition.
She has now revealed how painful the choice to quit the series was for her.
Fred Morgan, a Strictly Come Dancing superfan who provides fascinating information on his account Strictly FM, stated on Instagram stories that he was ‘really sad’ over Amanda’s departure at the time.
The Sherlock star noticed the comment and retweeted it, writing, ‘Thank you angel. So was I.’
Amanda initially received a pass for one week due to ‘health reasons.’ However, in week six, it was announced that she had withdrawn from the competition completely.
At the time of her departure, she released a lengthy statement that began: ‘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.’
She added it was ‘an absolute joy’ to work with her fellow contestants, and thanked the Strictly crew.
‘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,’ Amanda concluded.
Rumours circulated at the time regarding a rumoured conflict with Gio, but the real cause for her abrupt departure remains unknown.
Amanda was the only celebrity from the 2023 cast that did not return for the final episode of Strictly.
She did, however, wish the finalists, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier, who were battling for Glitterball gold with their respective partners Nikita Kuzmin and Dianne Buswell, as well as eventual winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, ‘well luck.’
Amanda revealed last month that her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin had made amazing progress since nearly dying in a flame act two years ago.
