Sherlock star confirmed as Strictly Come Dancing’s first contestant as she appears on The One Show
SHERLOCK actress Amanda Abbington is the first star to be officially announced for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The 49-year-old appeared on The One Show tonight to confirm the news, three months after we exclusively revealed she was in talks with show bosses.
She said: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things!
“Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!”
Amanda split with 51-year-old actor Martin Freeman — father of her two children — in 2016.
In 2020 The Office star Martin started dating 27-year-old French actress Rachel Mariam.
Meanwhile Amanda started a romance with escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, 42 — who was left paralysed in 2021 after a stunt on America’s Got Talent: Extreme went wrong.
It saw him hang upside down in a straitjacket, 30ft in the air between two suspended burning cars.
He was crushed when they smashed into each other too early.
He nearly died again during an op to repair his appalling injuries but now gives advice on “positive thinking”.
A TV insider said: “Amanda has had a rough ride over the past seven years and just recently has she come out the other side.
“The accident only brought Amanda and Jonathan closer together and she’s keen to start a whole new chapter in her life.
“Part of that is taking part in Strictly because it’s a long-held ambition of hers and one she is on track to fulfil before her milestone 50th birthday next year.”
Amanda played Mary Morstan in BBC1’s Sherlock from 2014 to 2017.
She was the on-screen wife of Martin’s Dr Watson, sidekick of supersleuth Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
She had expressed her desire to join Strictly as early as 2010, despite a general reluctance to appear on reality TV.
She said: “The only thing I’d love to do is Strictly Come Dancing.
“I love the idea of learning something.”
She joked: “This is an official application.
“But I’m sure me being on it would be its downfall.
“The curse of Amanda Abbington strikes again!”
Amanda has since bravely told of her mental health struggles, saying she has periods where she has taken anti-depressants.
She also worried about the effect her marriage split would have on son, Joe, 15 and their 12-year-old daughter, Grace.
Amanda said: “I’m sure I’ve given them irreparable damage and they will be going to therapy because of me and Martin at some point.”