Giovanni Pernice has hit back at shock claims that he was told about Amanda Abbington‘s exit by producers.
Amanda’s exit from the show was announced on Monday (October 23). The actor then broke her silence on stepping away from the show yesterday (Tuesday, October 24).
Amanda Abbington quits the show
On Monday, it was announced that Amanda had quit the show. Strictly announced the news in a statement during It Takes Two.
“Amanda 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,” they then added.
Yesterday, taking to Instagram, Amanda broke her silence on her exit. She then uploaded a post to her Instagram profile, paying tribute to her time on the show.
“It 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,” she wrote.
“I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you,” she then added.
However, there was no mention of Gio in her post…
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice ‘annoyed’ by Amanda Abbington exit?
Now, Giovanni has been forced to hit back at claims that he was “annoyed” by Amanda’s exit and that he only found out that she was leaving through the producers.
“Amanda didn’t tell Giovanni she had decided to quit the show. The first he heard was a call from a producer,” a source alleged to The Daily Star.
“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,” they then claimed.
“He is worried the drama will be damaging for his career and make him look bad,” they then alleged.
However, Giovanni’s reps have since spoken out, branding the claims “nonsense”. ED! has contacted the BBC and Amanda’s reps for comment too.
Real reason Amanda quit the show?
Meanwhile, it’s been speculated that the real reason Amanda quit the show was because she was feuding with Gio.
Speaking to The Telegraph, a source claimed that the couple weren’t “gelling”.
“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,” they alleged.
“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,” they then added.
Read more: Giovanni Pernice’s Strictly future ‘revealed’ as pro’s time on show ‘comes to premature end’
What do you think? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page EntertainmentDailyFix and then let us know.