Several members of the Strictly cast and crew have shown their support for Amanda Abbington after she returned to social media for the first time since Ellie Leach bagged the Glitterball on Saturday.
Abbington was a notable absentee from the finale after reportedly snubbing the chance to return following her exit early in the competition for “personal reasons”.
Amanda Abbington had been performing with Giovanni Pernice
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Alongside a professionally shot portrait of herself, Abbington penned: “My dear friend @drgotts is THE most phenomenal photographer and an all-round wonderful human. I do love him.”
Among her followers who commented and liked the post were a number of Strictly alum.
Jenny Thomas, a choreographer on the show, replied: “Love it! Oozing beauty,” followed by a series of love heart emojis.
While former judge Arlene Phillips also waded into the comments: “Love this.”
Elsewhere, Strictly pros Luba Mushtuk, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer and Graziano di Prima showed their support as they liked Abbington’s social media post.
Angela Scanlon – whom Abbington threw her backing behind following her controversial dance-off exit – and other previous Strictly stars including Gemma Atkinson and Catherine Tyldesley also liked the photo.
Reports that Abbingon had decided not to attend the Strictly finale emerged last month and the BBC confirmed days prior to Saturday’s show it would be the case.
A spokesperson for the corporation said, via The Mirror: “Amanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final.”
