Gio 'devastated' as Amanda quits Strictly

Amanda Abbington has left Strictlyleaving viewers wondering why and dance partner Giovanni Pernice "upset"

- Zara Zubeidi

She was in with a fighting chance of picking up the Glitterball Trophy, but for Amanda Abbington the dance is over following her shock decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing last week.

Just 72 hours after she pulled out of week five’s Saturday night in the ballroom for “medical reasons”, it was announced on Strictly: It Takes Two that Amanda, 49, had walked away from this year’s competition altogether.

Now, a source has claimed her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, is sympathetic, but struggling to face the realisation that his time in the competition is over at a crucial stage in his career.

“Giovanni is really competitive and dancing is his life,” a source told new. “This could be his last ever Strictly. He’s been thinking about the future as he gets older so, if that’s the case, it’s a shame it’s ended this way.

“Amanda’s exit has been quite a shock and everyone on the show is feeling so sad about her departure. In recent weeks, they all did everything they could to support her and really rallied around her. It’s like one big family on Strictly.

“However, it’s also a very tough competition – both physically and emotionally demanding. Giovanni is obviously upset that he’s no longer in the running for the trophy, but the whole situation has been quite hard for him to take in. He’s devastated.”