Overview

• Amanda Abbington has withdrawn from 'Strictly Come Dancing' due to undisclosed medical reasons. This comes amidst backlash over her past transphobic comments, which included criticism of a drag show aimed at children and a statement implying that individuals cannot identify as women if they have a penis.
• Abbington's withdrawal sparked speculation among viewers and inside sources, with suggestions that the stress of the show and conflict with her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, led to her decision. A significant disagreement between Abbington and Pernice was Pernice's intense training technique, which Abbington reportedly had difficulty coping with.
• Pernice, a former champion of the show, has a history of falling out with past partners, adding weight to the speculation that conflict with Abbington played a role in her departure. Arguments over training hours reportedly occurred, as Abbington was not willing to commit extensive hours to training.
• Despite issuing an apology for her past comments, Abbington continued to face accusations of transphobia throughout her participation in the show. Her departure reignited this controversy, with some viewers showing callous disregard for her exit and others expressing sympathy regarding the backlash she endured.
• Previous discussions of Abbington's mental health struggles also raise the question if the pressures of the show, combined with personal stress, contributed to her decision. This speculation was further fueled when she shared a quote about depression from the late actor Robin Williams on her social media platforms shortly after her departure was announced.