Another Strictly contestant has left the show after this weekend's elimination

"I did not come to this decision easily or lightly... I'm so sad."

Strictly Come Dancing
(Image credit: Strictly Come Dancing / BBC One)
Iris Goldsztajn
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Amanda Abbington is sadly leaving this season of Strictly Come Dancing for good after she was unable to perform on Saturday due to 'medical reasons'.

On Monday, the show confirmed that Amanda would unfortunately not be returning to the popular dance competition. A spokesperson said: "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."

Today, the Sherlock actress has broken her silence about her decision to step down, sharing some heartfelt words with her Instagram followers.

"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," Amanda wrote alongside a picture of strappy ballroom dancing shoes.

"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," the mum of two continued.

"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.

"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"

On Strictly, Amanda was partnered with Giovanni Pernice.

A post shared by Amanda Abbington 🌸

A photo posted by amanda_abbington74 on

Amanda's friends and family took to the comments to share their support for the actress.

Her partner Jonathan Goodwin wrote: "You are so incredible. So unbelievably beautiful but also incredibly brave. I’m so proud to be your man xx"

Co-stars including Dianne Buswell and Gorka Marquez (both Strictly pros) also shared their well wishes.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.40pm, BBC One.

Iris Goldsztajn
Iris Goldsztajn
Iris Goldsztajn is a celebrity and royal news writer for Marie Claire. As a London-based freelance journalist, she writes about wellness, relationships, pop culture, beauty and more for the likes of InStyle, Women's Health, Bustle, Stylist and Red. Aside from her quasi-personal investment in celebs' comings and goings, Iris is especially interested in debunking diet culture and destigmatising mental health struggles. Previously, she was the associate editor for Her Campus, where she oversaw the style and beauty news sections, as well as producing gift guides, personal essays and celebrity interviews. There, she worked remotely from Los Angeles, after returning from a three-month stint as an editorial intern for Cosmopolitan.com in New York. As an undergraduate at the University of California, Los Angeles, she interned at goop and C California Style and served as Her Campus' national style and LGBTQ+ editor. Iris was born and raised in France by a French father and an English mother. Her Spotify Wrapped is riddled with country music and One Direction, and she can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
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