Amanda Abbington has broken her silence after reportedly deciding not to return for the final of the BBC show.
The 51-year-old actress, who worked with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, left the show back in October, citing “personal problems” as the trigger for her early exit.
While Amanda has decided not to return for the finale, which traditionally brings together all of the show's previous contestants for one final number, she did send a message of support to the three finalists.
Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leach and Layton Williams, along with their respective partners Dianne Buswell, Vito Coppola and Nikita Kuzmin, will compete to be crowned winners on Saturday.
Taking to Instagram, Amanda shared a snap of the three couples with the glitterball trophy and wrote: “Good luck tonight to these six beautiful people.”
Amanda Abbington, 51, has broken her silence after she “snubbed” the Strictly Come Dancing final following her surprise exit in October
On Saturday, the actress sent a message of support to the three finalist couples on Instagram
BBC bosses have been told they are keen for Amanda to reunite with Giovanni to show there is “no bad blood”.
However, a source told The Mirror: “You [the BBC] still wanted to position her as part of the Strictly family, but Amanda's response to the invitation was that she wouldn't be coming back.
“It’s a shame because her exit has put a damper on the series this year.”
The BBC declined to comment when contacted by Web.
The publication added that it was “difficult” and disturbing for Giovanni as he doesn't want people to see it “as a reflection of who he is.”
Although the couple sometimes “clashed,” Giovanni wishes her all the best.
The Sherlock star left the show in week five, initially citing medical reasons before later revealing personal issues on Instagram.
Amanda withdrew from her appearance before it was announced on Monday after the weekend that she would not be returning.
The 51-year-old actress, who worked with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice (33), left the show in October after heated arguments between the two were seen as the reason for her surprise departure
BBC bosses were told they were keen for Amanda to reunite with Giovanni to show there was “no bad blood”, but that won't be the case
While the couple sometimes “clashed,” Giovanni, 33, wished her well
Amanda quit after her time on the show was “plagued with difficulty.”
The actress clearly snubbed the professional dancer in her exit statement, which she published on Instagram
She wrote: “It is with great regret that I have had to leave Strictly.” This decision was not an easy one for me but for personal reasons I cannot continue.
In an episode of It Takes Two, the show confirmed Amanda's exit and released a statement saying: “Amanda Abbington is unable to continue on Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition.”
“The show wishes her all the best for the future.”
A montage of Amanda's best moments from the series was shown before presenter Fleur East added: “Amanda, we send you all our love.”
A Strictly insider told Web: “This is something Amanda has unfortunately had to think about since the end of last week.”
“It was a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey was plagued with difficulties but she just didn't believe there was another option.
“As hard as it was, there was a chance they could have won.”
It was said Giovanni and Amanda had been feuding for weeks, with film star Amanda left “shocked” by the pro's “militant and aggressive” training style.
The actress clearly snubbed the professional dancer in her exit statement, which she published on Instagram.
She wrote: “It is with great regret that I have had to leave Strictly.” This decision was not an easy one for me but for personal reasons I cannot continue.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with my competitors. They are a wonderful, hard-working and talented group of people that I love and will miss seeing and competing with every Friday and Saturday.”
“I would like to thank the incredible production team and everyone at Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. “They are wonderful people and I will miss them all.
“I'm so sad I can't carry on.” Thank you to everyone who voted and sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all great. Really. Thank you very much. xxx'.