Amanda Abbington and Strictly.

[PriamFarrl]

I never watch Strictly, but it seems that her being on it is causing some conflict.

I did a quick look but couldn’t see a thread.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/strictly-come-dancing-fans-divided-27466760?fbclid=IwAR1iNqoQHvU6tlsap3W1iWz7oG81Sp0Qimp81rzzd5XAU9fB4NLm_LgE47w_aem_AWkW94vOg0i7vw4ncasDUMNwbDACoxFIhz_Dsisy4LT9Nv0k-aEB-k7pqbT5hptMzeU#ll00z8fhy5yfgk5qz3

Oh no I'm so sad to hear this. But really hope she is/will soon be OK. She was a joy to watch.

Such a shame. I really admire her. And her dancing was beautiful. I hope she knows that there is a small corner of the internet that supports her.

I hope she gets well soon.

The comments on the BBC strictly facebook post about her leaving seem to be wholly positive, as are the reactions to it.

I’m so sorry to hear this. She danced absolutely beautifully and was routing for her to win.

I wonder if the FB ones are moderated. There's certainly some really unpleasant triumphalism on the Instagram feed.

I do wonder if the meanness had extended to her children. Do hope not.

Am i confusing Strictly with another TV competition (Bake Off - the Professionals) or was there one week when the judges decided to send nobody home? That way you’d have a 4 couple final.

They would have to pretend they were choosing someone to go home, and then decide not right at the end. Probably unworkable. But what happens if someone else needs to leave the show?

Really gutted for her. Such a beautiful dancer and I had her down for semi final for sure

Just read loads of positive supportive comments on the BBC Strictly FB page which was great to see. Bit of a terse official statement I thought 🤔

Sad to see the BBC describe it as 'controversial' that AA tweeted about drag shows for children.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67200993

The link in the story under the line about being 'forced to apologise' leads to the first story introducing the whole Strictly line up, where they put the boot in from the start:

However, some fans have claimed they will boycott the show after Abbington stirred controversy earlier this year with comments about drag performances, questioning whether young children should watch or partake in sexually-charged drag shows.

In a recent Instagram video, Abbington explained she "loved drag" and was not transphobic, adding: "Personally speaking, I don't think 12-year-olds should be performing in drag shows in overtly sexual ways because they're 12 and they need a childhood."

JFC if that's considered a 'controversial' take worth burning AA at the stake over. I hope she is alright.

For shame, Amanda's a fabulous dancer and I hoped she'd go all the way.

And how absolutely disgraceful if she's been forced to withdraw by foul women hating MRAs.

The gender issues board on there is good, and the Popsy dress one is very GC and hilarious.
I've been told off a few times for misgendering and blah on other boards I use, but I still do it, I will not call Sam Smith they ffs.

She has put a statement on IG saying that it was a very tough decision but she can't carry on for personal reasons. She has said thank you to everyone at Strictly who took care of her, doesn't mention anyone by name. Lots of lovely comments from Strictly pros and fellow contestants

No mention of Giovanni. I wonder whether there was a problem between them

I was just coming on to say this.
She seems to have thanked everyone else. Seems very pointed?

TBF that story doesn't actually say what she said was controversial, it says it 'stirred controversy'. Which is true, whether or not you think what she said was wrong (for the record, I am with Amanda on those godawful Caba Baba things).

I thought she was fantastic, and really thought she had a chance at winning. I hadn’t heard about the whole GC / boycott issue before now, but if that is what has informed her decision to withdraw, I feel really cross on her and every other woman who is hounded out of participation in their careers, academia, politics, or dancing shows. GL is an outlier - this is mainly impacting women, and should be seen for the misogyny that it clearly is.

I don't understand why Gio wasn't on the show last weekend, I thought he would be on even if Amanda wasn't.

'I don't understand why Gio wasn't on the show last weekend'

He was there, standing near Claudia upstairs in the studio

They sometimes do that on Bake Off, to make sure they end up with the right number of finalists (or is someone is off sick for a week they'll send nobody home that week but 2 the next week). But it's not really feasible on something like Strictly that has a public vote as part of the format.

Amanda has yet to reference her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, but the pro did share a sweet post in tribute to their time on the show. Sharing a photo of them backstage, he 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."
Amanda Abbington's partner breaks silence on her Strictly Come Dancing exit (yahoo.com)

Good on her to withdraw if that's what she needed to do. We talk so much about mental health - it's great to see someone actually show what it looks like to prioritise it.

Her time on Strictly showed how brilliant a dancer she is - I hope she can see that when she looks back on it.

Goodness me! Even the Telegraph wants to comment ....

How Giovanni Pernice’s addiction to winning Strictly came at a cost (yahoo.com)

More media gossip (but if true sounds really bad)

Amanda Abbington ‘requests Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal footage with Giovanni Pernice’ amid legal advice Amanda Abbington ‘requests Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal footage with Giovanni Pernice’ amid legal advice (yahoo.com)

Gosh, she's been diagnosed with PTSD following her time on the show. That sounds really bad.

Oh come on. PTSD from a dancing teacher. She needs to get a big bloody grip.

PTSD plus taking legal advice and asking for videos seems more as if something specific happened, not just a clash of attitudes to training.