Amanda Abbington has issued a heartfelt statement following the news she'd decided to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
Taking to Instagram alongside a snap of dance shoes, Abbington penned: "It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly.
"I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.
"It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.
"I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring.
"It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them.
"I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx," she signed off.
Abbington's Strictly co-stars rushed to the comments of the post to share their well wishes to their former cast mates.
Professional dancer Jowita Przystal wrote in the comments: "Take care darling, we will miss you ! Sending lots of love," alongside a love heart emoji.
Channel 4 newsreader and Strictly competitor Krishnan Guru-Murthy echoed: "Sending lots of love - we miss you xxx."
Pro dancer Karen Hauer, who exited the series this past weekend with celeb partner Eddie Kadi, penned: "Love you," followed by a love heart emoji.
And another of the show's dancers Nancy Xu echoed: "Sending you all the love," again followed by a series of love heart emojis.
The BBC confirmed the news of Abbington's withdrawal from the competition for good in a statement on its Instagram page on Monday evening.
It read: "Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future."
Pro partner Giovanni Pernice issued a touching statement of his own following the news but amid the floods of support for the actor, a number of fans had to jump to her defence when trans activists hijacked the farewell post.
News of Abbington's permanent departure came just a few days after Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed she'd been given a bye for Week Five on medical grounds.
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Amanda Abbington had been partnered with Giovanni Pernice
BBC
"Now as you may have noticed Amanda and Giovanni are missing from the line-up," Winkleman said once all of the contestants had been introduced before she continued: "Due to medical reasons, Amanda is unable to perform this week."
Daly then weighed in: "As per the rules of the competition, she's been given a bye and all being well will return to the ballroom next weekend."
Winkleman signed off: "Amanda, we are all sending you so much love."
Abbington hasn't delved into the specific reasons behind her exit but shared a poignant social media post in the hours before Strictly's live show on Saturday.
