Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice looks downcast after Amanda Abbington quits show – and ignores him in cryptic statement
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice looked downcast when he was spotted after Amanda Abbington quit the show.
The professional dancer was unceremoniously snubbed in a cryptic departure statement from the Sherlock actress.
At the start of Strictly, he was initially partnered up with the Mr Selfridge actor.
They achieved some success together as she was given a score of 31 out of 40 for her American Smooth.
However, Amanda, 51, sensationally left the BBC primetime dancing competition.
Giovanni, 33, has since been spotted out for the first time since the news was revealed.
He looked downcast as he hid his face, dressed in an Adidas puffer coat as he attempted to go incognito.
The dancer and choreographer was very much focused on his mobile phone and he blocked out the noise with white wired earphones.
He also carried a large black leather rucksack as he jumped on an e scooter to whisk him off to a mysterious location.
This comes amid a rumoured rift at the heart of his partnership with Amanda that has been circulating for the past few weeks.
She was initially given a bye as she missed week five due to an undisclosed medical reason, as bosses hoped for her return.
But it was later confirmed by a BBC spokesperson that the star had chosen to leave the competition.
In Amanda’s statement on Instagram, fans noticed she did not mention her professional partner after it was reported he had a ‘militant’ attitude.
Alongside a snap of her gold dancing shoes, the TV star wrote a long essay in the caption, where she says she left the competition “due to personal reasons”.
She said: “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.
“It 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.
“I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them.”
She added: “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. xxx”