Amanda Abbington's fiancé shares poignant message after Strictly star shares real reason for quitting show

The show's official statement - which was met with cruel trolling from trans activists on Instagram - said Abbington was "unable to continue" in the competition.

In a lengthy social media post on the same platform, Abbington shared on Tuesday that she "did not come to this decision easily or lightly" and that it was with the "deepest regret" that she'd chosen to leave.

After citing "personal reasons" for her exit, Abbington's heartfelt statement paid tribute to her "beautiful, hardworking and talented" co-stars while she also thanked members of the production and the fans who voted for her during the show's first few weeks.

Inevitably it didn't take long for a number of Abbington's fellow Strictly 2023 classmates to flood the comments section with the messages of support, and they were soon joined by an adorable message from Abbington's other half.

​Praising his fiancée's decision to quit Strictly, Goodwin penned: "You are so incredible.

"So unbelievably beautiful but also incredibly brave," he continued before he signed off: "I’m so proud to be your man xx."

Spotting Goodwin's sweet gesture to his partner, one fan wrote in response: "So lucky to have each other. I know you will take care of (her). So much support for Amanda on Instagram."

A second echoed: "Aw I love the love you have for one another. If people were like you and Amanda the world would be such a better place."

And a third simply praised the stuntman: "Thank you for being an amazing partner to Amanda."

Goodwin and Abbington got engaged within days of first meeting one another in 2021 after they'd built up a rapport on social media.

Abbington's 43-year-old fiancé worked as a stuntman but was left paralysed from the waist down when a stunt went wrong in 2021 on the set of America's Got Talent: Extreme.

Goodwin was trying to escape from a strait jacket while hanging upside down 30 feet in the air before he was crushed by two cars on fire.

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Abbington was previously married to Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman for 16 years before their split with whom she shares two children.

According to PA, Abbington's exit will not alter the format of Strictly moving forward as a contestant will continue to be voted out each week.

Last week, it was the turn of Eddie Kadi to say his goodbyes as he followed in the footsteps of Les Dennis, Nikita Kanda, and Jody Cundy.

Abbington's pro partner Giovanni Pernice will remain on the show as part of the professional dances after issuing a touching statement of his own following Abbington's withdrawal.