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Giovanni and Amanda Abbington on Strictly

(68 Posts)
LilyoftheValley Wed 25-Oct-23 18:15:04

I expect other dance couples have riled each other on Strictly and managed to work together in the end.

This story has been simmering for a while with cryptic messages and quotes being quoted. From both sides, I think. Does anyone else think that Amanda Abbington has shot herself in the foot by issuing a statement in which she thanks ev eryone but the kitchen sink but, noticeably omits Giovanni!

It does point to her being somewhat embittered. Giovanni has been much more dignified about the matter.

Esmay Wed 25-Oct-23 18:42:56

I'm very sad that Amanda has dropped out .
She was one of my favourites - a naturally gifted dancer .
Who knows what happened ...

Sparklefizz Wed 25-Oct-23 18:46:00

Yes. I thought her post was unpleasant and unprofessional in leaving out Gio.

Sparklefizz Wed 25-Oct-23 19:32:13

Maybe her husband felt insecure and threatened because looking back at some of her routines, they were very sensual, and it would be perfectly understandable if he - in his unfortunate situation- didn’t like it.

lemsip Wed 25-Oct-23 20:28:15

amanda abbington's partner jonathan goodwin was paralysed from waist down 6 months ago in an accident while taking part in americas got talent so in a wheelchair now.
It must have been incredibly difficult for them both as he watched from the sidelines.

B9exchange Wed 25-Oct-23 20:33:45

It would appear that the 'medical reasons' are that she was having problems with her mental health, perhaps after being attacked online for her gender critical views. What with that and worries over her husband, I feel very sorry for her, people who are stressed struggle and perhaps lash out when they don't mean to.

NotSpaghetti Wed 25-Oct-23 20:59:58

I think she could still have thanked her dance partner though B9exchange

B9exchange Wed 25-Oct-23 21:02:50

Yes, she should have of course. I don't think she is in a very good place at the moment.

Casdon Wed 25-Oct-23 21:03:04

It’s all speculation, but I think to take part in Strictly you have to be very strong mentally, because the regime is punishing and if you’re not strong you take criticism to heart. Giovanni is a perfectionist, and my guess is that he pushed her beyond her limits.

NotSpaghetti Wed 25-Oct-23 21:07:05

Lemsip has already said what I was thinking...
So hard for both of them.

Millie22 Wed 25-Oct-23 21:40:58

I think she should have thanked Gio.

There is a lot of training and commitment required when you sign up for Strictly so maybe it was too much for her. I seem to remember Will Young soon gave up a few years ago when he realised he had to do dance practice every day.

Ailidh Thu 26-Oct-23 11:49:18

While it would clearly have been more dignified to have thanked/mentioned Giovanni, if she's struggling mentally or physically she does right to leave.

There's some pretty rough stuff written about her on Facebook, and Digital Spy have had to close the thread on the subject. Some people seem to feel terribly sorry for her partner, which I don't quite get: as far as I can see the Professionals get paid a flat rate for the series, he's not losing out.

Even when I googled Amanda and the programmes she's been in, I still didn't recognize her but I always feel I want to support someone who's brave enough to say, No; I can't continue.

AreWeThereYet Thu 26-Oct-23 13:37:46

Some people seem to feel terribly sorry for her partner, which I don't quite get: as far as I can see the Professionals get paid a flat rate for the series, he's not losing out.

It's not all about the money though - most of the professionals are extremely competitive and really want to win, not just for their partners but for themselves.

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 13:52:40

I'm not interested in people's private lives on Strictly, just the dancing. But if you mean Giovanni by her partner, I think I would feel sorry for him because as a performer all you want to do is to get out there and dance. Especially as he is such a s good choreographer and would have maybe gone on to the final with Amanda.

Joseann Thu 26-Oct-23 13:54:01

That was to * Ailidh*.

Ailidh Thu 26-Oct-23 14:41:25

I get that but the way some people (on other sites) are talking, you'd think she'd maliciously ruined his life!

NotSpaghetti Thu 26-Oct-23 15:06:26

I feel sorry for her and her &life^ partner.

Watching her dance so close and so beautifully with someone else when his injury is so new to him must be very painful.

And knowledge of this will be very hard for her...

missdeke Sat 28-Oct-23 11:47:42

lemsip

amanda abbington's partner jonathan goodwin was paralysed from waist down 6 months ago in an accident while taking part in americas got talent so in a wheelchair now.
It must have been incredibly difficult for them both as he watched from the sidelines.

I believe it was October 2021 that he had the accident that paralysed him. They always come across as a very loving couple so perhaps Amanda's decision was based on the fact that it accentuated the fact that she couldn't be dancing such beautiful dances with her husband.

lilydily9 Sat 28-Oct-23 13:28:06

Whatever Amanda's reason was for discontinuing, she could have handled it better. The cryptic messages are from her and her husband not from Giovanni who has only responded kindly to her. I doubt his contract prevents him from responding further. Cryptic messages only add fuel to the fire. If something needs to be said, just say it! Otherwise it is quite childish.

montymops Sat 28-Oct-23 14:29:55

For some reason that I simply can’t explain, I have never liked Amanda Abbington or some of the expressions on her face. It sounds so daft but I am not surprised at all, that she has backed out.

Sparklefizz Sat 28-Oct-23 15:04:24

Yes lilydily9 I agree with you about the cryptic messages from Amanda and her husband - why not say what you mean instead of all the stupid hints?

Sparklefizz Sat 28-Oct-23 15:04:40

.... or better, say nothing at all!

eazybee Sat 28-Oct-23 15:16:07

I am surprised by Amanda Abbington's behaviour towards Giovanni. She has been trained at some time to become a good dancer, and will be used to a strict and punishing regime of dance training. Dance teachers are not noticeable for their charity, as they strive for perfection which is not achieved without a struggle.

NotSpaghetti Sun 29-Oct-23 08:43:10

I don't understand what happened to be honest.

Irismarle Sun 29-Oct-23 17:08:47

I’m just sorry she left as she was a beautiful and naturally elegant dancer and she and Giovanni were so well matched physically and made a gorgeous couple together. I don’t really like any of the other couples as much. It seems extraordinary when they were so in harmony on the dance floor that resentment was maybe lurking under the surface. It seems churlish of her not to thank him. He also came over very well as a personality the year he won with Rose. I find it hard to believe he is unpleasant in private.