{"id":41754,"date":"2023-12-13T12:05:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T11:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1943634"},"modified":"2023-12-13T13:52:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T12:52:04","slug":"amanda-abbington-wont-return-for-strictly-final-alongside-co-stars","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/amanda-abbington-wont-return-for-strictly-final-alongside-co-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"Amanda Abbington won\u2019t return for Strictly final alongside co-stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Strictly Come Dancing final is this week, with one star reported to not be attending. <\/p>

By Morgan Cormack\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 13 December 2023 at 11:05 AM<\/p>

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We\u2019re only a matter of days until the Strictly Come Dancing final<\/a> with Ellie Leach<\/a>, Bobby Brazier<\/a> and Layton Williams<\/a>, and fans are waiting to see just how each of their three dance routines will pan out and who will take home the Glitterball Trophy.<\/p>\n

Among the highlights of the night, the grand final will also see the return of the other season 21 stars for a group dance \u2013 but it will be missing one of the show\u2019s previous contestants.<\/p>\n

Amanda Abbington, who left Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> after just five weeks in the competition, will not be making an appearance in Saturday night\u2019s anticipated final.<\/p>\n

A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror<\/a>: \u201cAmanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final.\u201d<\/p>\n

The news of Abbington\u2019s exit<\/a> in October was announced on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, with presenter Fleur East reading a statement from a Strictly spokesperson.<\/p>\n

It said: \u201cAmanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time,\u00a0Abbington\u00a0posted a statement<\/a> on her Instagram<\/a>, explaining that her exit was due to \u201cpersonal reasons\u201d, paying tribute to her fellow contestants and the show\u2019s production team.<\/p>\n

\"Amanda\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

She wrote:\u00a0\u201cIt is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It\u2019s a wonderful bunch of people and I\u2019ll miss all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n