Amanda Abbington reveals cancer scare prompted her to quit Strictly amid Giovanni Pernice drama

Strictly Come Dancing alum Amanda Abbington has revealed that a recent cancer scare was the tipping point for her decision to exit the popular BBC competition, amidst the swirling drama involving her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice. Abbington, who is 50 years old, made this deeply personal admission shortly after the BBC announced it had upheld several of her complaints against Pernice, though not all.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Amanda shared her distressing experience, explaining that her discovery of two lumps in the shower during the show’s sixth week prompted her to leave. This unsettling moment occurred after she had previously received the all-clear following a mammogram just a couple of months earlier. “I went into rehearsals for the cha-cha-cha but I couldn’t keep my mind on it,” she recounted.

She described the fateful morning when she found the lumps and decided to inform Giovanni of her situation. “It was the catalyst I’d been sort of waiting for, which is terrible,” Amanda stated, expressing the emotional turmoil she felt at that moment. Fortunately, medical tests revealed that the lumps were benign.

Giovanni Pernice addressed the situation recently on social media, expressing his relief that the more serious allegations against him were not substantiated. He candidly discussed the challenges of dealing with untrue claims during this difficult period. In a statement, his spokesperson emphasized concern over Abbington’s continuous misrepresentation of the findings from the BBC review, reiterating Giovanni’s commitment to his ongoing work in Ballando con le Stella and his support for his partner, Bianca.

As the controversy unfolds, Amanda’s revelations add another layer to the ongoing public discussions surrounding her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The emotional weight of her experience alongside the complexities of the allegations have kept fans engaged in this evolving narrative. The show continues to attract viewers and generate buzz, with its latest episode airing on Sunday evening at 7.15 PM on BBC One.

As the drama plays out, both Amanda and Giovanni appear to be navigating their respective paths, with the hope of moving forward from a challenging chapter in their careers.