On tonight’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing, Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice put any rumours of a quarrel to rest.
Amanda was matched with professional dancer Giovanni for the show’s 2023 season, and she expressed her joy when the coupling was revealed since he was precisely who she was looking for.
But turmoil reigned as allegations circulated that the couple were feuding, with a source telling The Sun that Amanda was threatening to resign just hours before the series’ first live broadcast.
However, a spokesman told Metro.co.uk that this was not true, and Giovanni afterwards complimented his dance partner on social media, responding to the claims – while Amanda launched a blistering, sweary tirade at whomever began the rumours.
And if there was any question, the couple quickly dispelled it when they performed the Viennese Waltz to Lewis Capadi’s Pointless.
The judges heaped praise on the duo after the impressive and haunting routine, with Shirley Ballas saying there was ‘magic between you.’
‘That is hard to muster up,’ she added, lauding their ‘beautiful chemistry.’
Motsi Mabuse agreed there was ‘something so special about you,’ but urged Amanda to ‘express yourself a little more.’
Craig, meanwhile, worried the routine was ‘overpowered,’ but said they danced ‘brilliantly.’
Amanda and Giovanni’s efforts were rewarded with a score of 29, receiving seven points from each of the judges except Shirley, who gave them an eight.
As the arduous training continues, Amanda remarked, ‘Roll on Monday.’
Nigel and Katya lead the way with 32 points after the first night of live shows, followed by Layton and Nikita, Ellie and Vito, Bobby and Dianne, and Amanda and Gio in shared second position with 29.
Les and Nancy are now at the bottom of the leaderboard with 16 points – but it’s still early days.
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday on BBC One.