AMANDA Abbington was seen looking tearful in a London street amid her Strictly battle with Giovanni Pernice.
The actress, 50, instructed lawyers after her shock exit from the dance series last October and claimed Giovanni’s training methods of left her with PTSD.
The sudden departure led to death threats from vile trolls, with Amanda telling us: “I’m very sorry that people felt the need to send me death threats, threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health. I wish those people well.”
She recently accused Giovanni of being “nasty” and “awful” to her, which the dancer has refuted.
Earlier this month Amanda quit social media after it was confirmed Giovanni won’t be returning to this year’s show.
Yesterday she visited the exclusive Groucho Club in Soho with friends and there were mixed emotions with smiles, laughter and solemn faces too.
Amanda dressed down in a Snoopy jumper and baggy blue bottoms and wore a tote bag over her shoulder.
At one point she shared a comforting hug in the street with her actress friend Sue Vincent, 56.
Last month The Sun revealed that Giovanni, 33, had told pals he wanted to step away from the dance competition after facing allegations over his tough training methods from previous celebrity partners.
The Italian dancer was being investigated by the Beeb after at least three of his former celebrity partners made complaints about him.
In May, Gio explained to friends he wanted to quit the show.
A source told The Sun: “Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much, and now is the time to make a fresh start.
“He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
“He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking — especially in this day and age.
“He has a lot of other exciting projects in the pipeline right now, and he’s just super-excited to get cracking on them. This, now, is his priority.”
Actress Amanda quit Strictly in 2023 just weeks in after she missed a week due to undisclosed medical reasons.
A ‘feud’ between the pair was revealed after claims they were clashing behind the scenes.
The star wasn’t a fan of Gio’s ‘militant’ approach to training for the dance competition.
Amanda and Gio’s other former dance partners Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh have also met up to share stories of what it was like working with him.
Gio has rejected all the claims on social media.
He wrote: “To my dear fans, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive.
“No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me.
“I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be.
“This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.
“Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!”
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “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.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
