Amanda Abbington is rooting for her former Strictly co-stars (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing star Amanda Abbington has sent a message to the final three ahead of their big night.
The Sherlock actress shockingly quit the BBC show earlier in the series.
Partnered with Italian pro Giovanni Pernice, 33, Amanda, 51,initially received a pass for one week due to health struggles.
However, the following Saturday it was announced that she had withdrawn from the competition completely.
As rumours continue to swirl about a so-called feud with Gio, the full reason for her premature departure remains unknown.
And while Amanda will not be attending the 2023 final, she has still sent her support to Layton Williams, Ellie Leach, and Bobby Brazier, who are competing for Glitterball glory with their respective partners Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, and Dianne Buswell.
The Sherlock actress sent a supportive message on social media ahead of the final (Picture: Instagram)
Taking to Instagram on Saturday (December 16), Amanda wrote on her Story alongside a photo of the finalists: ‘Good luck tonight to these six beautiful humans’, followed by three hearts.
Amanda has kept schtum on her Strictly exit since quitting the show.
But a BBC spokesperson previously confirmed to Metro.co.uk that she will not be celebrating with the other cast members at the finale.
‘Amanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final,’ they shared.
Last month it was reported the star had rejected an invitation to return to Strictly one last time, where the former contestants will bow out with a group dance.
‘It’s a shame because her exit has been a sour note to the series this year,’ a source told The Mirror.
Amanda and pro partner Giovanni Pernice prematurely departed the competition earlier in the series (Picture: BBC)
Indeed, Amanda’s exit has been shrouded by controversy and confusion, given how she and Giovanni appeared very close on camera and previously vehemently denied any sort of feud.
But, Amanda failed to mention Giovanni in her statement when expressing her gratitude for her Strictly journey, even though he dedicated an Instagram post to her.
Posting a photo of them together, 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.’
Although, it had also been reported tat he was ‘annoyed’ after being informed they would no longer be progressing by a producer for the 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.
The pair have been engulfed by feud rumours (Picture: PA)
Sharing why she’d quit the competition, Amanda said in a public statement she ‘did not come to this decision easily’.
She added that she was ‘unable to continue’ for ‘personal reasons’.
‘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,’ she penned.
‘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.’
Amanda received an outpouring of love from her former co-stars, professionals, judges, and presenters.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 final airs at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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She won’t be back for the final dance.
