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DEATH THREAT HELL
I was sent death threats after revealing I suffered PTSD over time on Strictly with Giovanni, reveals Amanda Abbington
Amanda has been inundated with support from fellow Strictly dancers
ACTRESS Amanda Abbington has told how she received death threats after it was revealed she suffered PTSD over her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
The Sherlock and Mr Selfridge star, 51, asked BBC bosses for footage of rehearsals with pro dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, after clashes between the pair, which we revealed last week.
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Amanda, who has two children with her actor ex Martin Freeman, 52, told The Sun on Sunday: “I just want to thank everyone who has been so kind and lovely and supportive this past week.
“It means a great, great deal.
"I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after Strictly for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally.
“I’m very sorry that people felt the need to send me death threats, threaten my children and bring up my past, healthy relationship with an ex-partner as an indicator of my current mental health. I wish those people well.”
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Meanwhile, Amanda has been inundated with support from fellow Strictly dancers, who met this week to start rehearsals for the show’s live tour.
A set source added: “Many of the dancers were shocked to hear that Amanda had been through such a tough time and wanted to check in to make sure she was OK.
“For most people Strictly is the most wonderful experience, so they were sad to hear she left with bad memories.”
Amanda’s time with Giovanni, regarded as a “perfectionist”, was blighted by a series of rows and she quit the show in October citing medical reasons.
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Giovanni thanked fans for their support in an Instagram post promoting his own new live show Let Me Entertain You.
The Italian wrote on Thursday: “I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent messages of support over the last week — I really truly appreciate it — thank you thank you thank you.”
His 2017 dance partner Debbie McGee, 65, also came out in defence of him last week.
The BBC has insisted it would not be carrying out an investigation into his conduct.
A spokesman said: “There is a constant dialogue between the senior production team and contestants to ensure any concerns are addressed swiftly.”
Amanda is now engaged to Britain’s Got Talent stuntman Jonathan Goodwin, 43.
She revealed in a previous interview: “I had fancied him for a few years.
“I was filming in Vienna and had a little downtime.
"I was like a giddy schoolgirl, constantly messaging him while he was at work.”
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