Strictly’s Amanda Abbington was ‘frazzled and fragile’ before her exit as sources claim she ‘didn’t know what she let herself in for’ – amid rumours of a feud with partner Giovanni Pernice

Strictly Come Dancing star Amanda Abbington reportedly didn’t know what she had let herself in for by signing up to the BBC dance show – amid speculation she failed to ‘gel’ with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.

The Sherlock actress, 49, who announced this week she has withdrawn from the competition, was ‘frazzled and fragile’ and insiders aren’t surprised she has quit the programme, according to the Telegraph.

Amanda and Giovanni didn’t dance on Saturday night, citing ‘medical reasons’ for her absence from the show. At the same time she posted a now-deleted message about struggling with mental health.

It came shortly after she shared a poignant post on World Mental Health day on October 10, as she offered a kind word to other sufferers of mental illness, telling her followers ‘we’re all suffering in our own little way’.

While it is currently unclear the official reason for Amanda’s exit from the programme, viewers have begun to speculate over why she has quit while seemingly holding so much promise and talent.

Claims: Strictly Come Dancing star Amanda Abbington reportedly didn’t know what she had let herself in for by signing up to the BBC dance show – amid speculation she failed to ‘gel’ with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice

Gruelling: The Sherlock actress, 49, who announced this week she has withdrawn from the competition, was ‘frazzled and fragile’ and insiders aren’t surprised she has quit the programme, according to the Telegraph

Amid the growing speculation, an inside source told the Telegraph: ‘It could be that she didn’t know what she let herself in for.’

‘From the very beginning they weren’t gelling. Obviously they were putting a brave face on it, but the issue was clearly not being solved.’

The source continued: ‘He was quite tough and she found that difficult. If she wasn’t very well, that wouldn’t have helped. She was with a partner that had a certain training style that she couldn’t cope with. Whether that came to a head or whether there’s something else going on I don’t know.’

It comes as it was reported Amanda struggled with Giovanni’s ‘militant approach to training’.

At the beginning of this season, The Sun reported that Amanda was ‘threatening to quit’ after also rowing with Giovanni over his training style in the training room.

And while addressing why she quit the show on Instagram on Tuesday, she thanked her team but failed to mention her professional dance partner.

According to insiders, Amanda never told Giovanni she was quitting and he was instead told by producers, it has been claimed.

According to the Daily Star, the professional dancer was ‘really annoyed’ over Amanda’s abrupt departure from the show.

Out: Amanda and Giovanni didn’t dance on Saturday night, citing ‘medical reasons’ for her absence from the show. At the same time she posted a now-deleted message about struggling with mental health

Statement: In a heartfelt post shared to Instagram the actress explained that she had withdrawn from the show for ‘personal reasons’ and she’s ‘sad’ not to be going any further

Giovanni was reportedly only given the news of Amanda’s exit a few hours before the official statement was released.

A source said: ‘Amanda didn’t tell Giovanni she had decided to quit the show. The first he heard was a call from a producer.

‘This has really annoyed him. He’s barely heard from her for 10 days. She hasn’t been replying to messages or telling him what’s happening.

‘He’s been complaining about it to friends. He’s frustrated. He is worried the drama will be damaging for his career and make him look bad.’

One fan speculated on Twitter: ‘That Amanda Abbington statement leaves more questions than answers, especially when you remember that rumoured feud with Giovanni they were forced to deny. The plot thickens.’

Another wrote: ‘So it’s confirmed that Amanda Abbington has had to completely pull out of #Strictly. It’s always sad when someone has to pull out, but given what we’ve heard about her mental health, this one feels particularly gut wrenching. Please, if anyone out there is struggling, get help.’

It was confirmed on the Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two on Monday evening that Amanda was leaving the competition.

A montage of Amanda’s best moments on the series was shown, before host Fleur East added: ‘Amanda we are sending you all of our love’.

A Strictly insider told MailOnline about Amanda’s withdrawal: ‘This has been something that Amanda has been unfortunately having to consider making since late last week.

‘It has been a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey has been plagued by difficulties but she just didn’t think there was any other option. As hard as it has been, there was a chance they could have won.’

Gutted: They said: ‘It has been a devastating time for Amanda. Her Strictly journey has been plagued by difficulties but she just didn’t think there was any other option’

One fan speculated on Twitter: ‘That Amanda Abbington statement leaves more questions than answers, especially when you remember that rumoured feud with Giovanni they were forced to deny. The plot thickens.’

In a heartfelt post shared to Instagram the actress explained that she had withdrawn from the show for ‘personal reasons’ and she’s ‘sad’ not to be going any further.

She thanked the ‘incredible production’ and said it was an ‘absolute joy’ working with her fellow contestants, though she didn’t pay tribute to her professional partner, Giovanni.

On his Instagram profile, Giovanni shared a photo of the couple backstage saying he was ‘sad’ they couldn’t continue but he was ‘proud’ of everything they have achieved.

Following seven years on the BBC show, some Strictly viewers are predicting that this could be Giovanni’s last season performing with a celebrity partner.

One wrote: ‘I think this will be your last year… you have outgrown Strictly, and I think you know that.’

Another said: ‘I am devastated for you. I was supporting you both and voting. Will we still see you dance on Strictly next year?’

But sources close to Giovanni say that while those conversations won’t take place until 2024 that he isn’t even considering leaving the show.

Sweet message: Amanda’s professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing Giovanni has broken his silence after she quit the show

Poignant: She shared these words alongside the picture as she updated her fans on how she was feeling and thanked those she had worked with 

After reportedly sharing a poignant message about mental health herself, it now seems her partner Jonathan Goodwin has hinted at the same thing in his own social media post (pictured)

Amanda reportedly shared a poignant message to her Instagram Stories on Saturday in a now-deleted post.

She re-shared a quote about mental health from late actor Robin Williams originally posted by an account called ‘positiveminds011’, according to The Mirror .

The poignant quote read: ‘People don’t fake depression … they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind.’

Amanda has seemingly since deleted the post, as it is no longer featured on her Instagram Stories.

Amanda shared a heartfelt message about struggling with mental health issues weeks before withdrawing from Strictly.

In a video shared on October 10 to mark mental health awareness day, Amanda said: ‘I’m a bit late to the party, but better late than never!

‘It’s world mental health day today. I just want to shout out to everyone, there’s a lot of us, that go through anxiety and depression and have a lot of things going on in our lives that we struggle with mentally and emotionally and that manifest itself physically.

‘So this is just a little reach out to say never be too scared to ask for help or call somebody to make sure they’re okay, or to make sure they are okay. 

‘It’s so important, now more than ever with all of the social media b******t that happens and the need to aspire to be something that is seen on Instagram or Twitter that is unattainable.

‘We’re all suffering in our own little way and a phone call can make all the difference, either for yourself or someone you know who might be struggling.

‘To everyone out there who might not feel strong enough, you are strong enough. Look after yourself and look after everyone around you. Loads of love!’

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