Actress Amanda Abbington has revealed she feels uncertain about her public standing following her high-profile exit from the series Strictly Come Dancing. Abbington, known for her role in the hit series Sherlock, left the popular show in 2023 after accusing her professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, of bullying behavior during rehearsals.
The 51-year-old actress previously accused Pernice, 34, of mistreatment, prompting an investigation by the broadcaster. The subsequent investigation largely cleared Pernice, though the controversy left Amanda feeling portrayed as a “villain,” something she admits has deeply affected her.
In a candid interview, Abbington said, “I was made out to be the villain. I don’t know what the industry thinks of me or if I’ve been cancelled or if people even like me anymore.” She also explained that her decision to publicly raise concerns about Pernice’s alleged behavior stemmed partly from her own painful experiences of childhood bullying, which left her sensitive to similar situations.
Although Abbington had not anticipated the backlash following her accusations, she explained that speaking out was important to her because of personal experiences with bullying in her youth. She highlighted the negative psychological effects bullying can have, which she claims motivated her decision to speak openly about her situation on the show.
The actress also spoke about facing significant online abuse, including harsh criticism and hateful messages on social media platforms, further amplifying her distress during the scandal. Abbington, now unsure if she has been “cancelled,” expressed hope to regain her reputation and move forward positively.
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