Amanda Abbington signs up for new role after Strictly Come Dancing 'trauma'

Every Day's A Bonus with Amanda Abbington and Maureen Lipman

After starring on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, Amanda Abbington stunned the nation with shocking allegations about her time on the show.

In July 2024, she claimed that Giovanni Pernice's behaviour was "unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean” during rehearsals and raised 17 complaints against the dancer.

After a nine-month investigation, the BBC upheld six of the allegations, including verbal bullying and harassment, but cleared him of physical aggression. Giovanni has strongly denied any allegations of misconduct.

In the months since, Abbington has moved on with her life and delved back into her acting career.

After being the star of BBC’s primetime detective drama, Sherlock, the 50-year-old has returned to the theatre with a brand new role.

Amanda Abbington has landed a new role on theatre (Image: ITV)

Abbington has been cast to portray Esther in the production of (This Is Not A) Happy Room, which will play at the King's Head Theatre in Islington for four months.

The shows will be intimate, as the theatre can seat around 180 guests.

According to the MailOnline, on Friday (January 31) the production had sold just 64 tickets, which cost between £10 and £35, for the opening night, a preview on Wednesday, March 26.

The actress, who shares two children with fellow Sherlock star Martin Freeman, will play alongside Outlander actress Rosie Day.

Amanda and Giovanni were paired together in 2023 (Image: BBC)

A source via the Mail Online said: “You have to wonder if Amanda hadn't got herself entangled in the whole row with Giovanni whether she might have something a little more high-profile and better paid.

“It is such a shame they fell out. If they hadn't, they could have won Strictly and Amanda would be the most sought after woman in town.

“But she felt she needed to speak up for other women. Arguably, you have to wonder whether that came at a cost.”

Following the allegations, Pernice recently won the Italian version of the BBC dance show, Ballando Con Le Stelle, with actress Bianca Guaccero and is expected to return to the Italian programme in September.