A Strictly Come Dancing star won’t be coming back for the final (Picture: BBC)
Amanda Abbington won’t be returning for the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing final after quitting the show early.
After performing in the competition for four weeks, Sherlock actress Amanda, 51, left the series for ‘personal reasons’ back in October.
She later expressed ‘deep regret’ over the difficult decision, crediting her fellow contestants and those who looked after her on the show and were ‘so kind and caring’.
However, she failed to address her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, reigniting rumours of a reported ‘feud’ between the pair, which she has previously shut down.
Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Bad Education star Layton Williams will be vying to take our the title and Glitterball Trophy this weekend with their respective partners Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell and Nikita Kuzmin.
As part of the final show, all the eliminated stars like Annabel Croft, Adam Thomas and Les Dennis set to return.
Amanda Abbington quit the series after four weeks (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
However, Amanda won’t be part of the line-up.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, a BBC spokesperson confirmed the news.
‘Amanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final,’ they shared.
She was paired up with Giovanni Pernice (Picture: BBC)
Last month it was reported the actress had rejected the invitation to return to Strictly one last time.
‘It’s a shame, because her exit has been a sour note to the series this year,’ a source told The Mirror.
It came after reports of tension between Amanda and Giovanni, who said he was ‘sending love’ to her after news of her exit broke.
Posting a photo of them together on social media 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.’
However it was also reported he was ‘annoyed’ after being informed they would no longer be progressing by a producer for the BBC series on a phone call, just hours before it was made public.
Instead of being informed by his partner, it was the crew who apparently let him know.
There were reports of a feud between the pair (Picture: PA)
Sharing why she’d quit the competition, Amanda said in a public statement she ‘did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue’.
‘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.
‘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.’
She concluded by writing she was sad to be ‘unable to go any further’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Amanda Abbington for comment.
The Strictly Come Dancing final airs Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly star breaks down in tears during live interview
MORE : Strictly’s Vito Coppola in tears over Ellie Leach’s beautiful confession
The winner will be announced this weekend!
