Amanda Abbington lands first major TV drama role since Strictly bullying scandal
Amanda Abbington made a shock exit from Strictly Come Dancing just weeks into the competition in 2023 and later accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of subjecting her to "vile abuse" during rehearsals.
Amanda Abbington has reportedly landed her first major TV role since the Strictly Come Dancing scandal which plunged the BBC competition into crisis.
The 51-year-old actress made a shock exit from the show just weeks into the competition in 2023 and later accused her professional partner Giovanni Pernice of subjecting her to "vile abuse" during rehearsals.
Following an investigation by the BBC, Giovanni was cleared of the most serious accusations made against him and the broadcaster issued a formal apology to Amanda.
Now, the actress is sure to be hoping to put the Strictly controversy behind her once and for all after landing a role in the second series of detective thriller Down Cemetery Road, according to The Sun.
While her character is as yet unknown, she is expected to star alongside Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson in the Apple TV programme, which comes from the makers of Slow Horses.
Prior to her rumoured new gig, Amanda’s most recent serious drama was Desperate Measures, in 2023.
News of the new role comes after the Sherlock star spoke out about the Strictly row, insisting that while it had been one of the "hardest years" of her life, she "doesn't regret" any of it.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, she said: "It's been tricky yes. It was. We don't wanna go over old ground because that's what done and I'm happy with what happened. Well, not happy.
“But I don't regret what happened. It's time to move on for everyone. It was one of the hardest years of my entire life and having to battle that was tricky.
“But it's good, onwards."
Meanwhile, Giovanni admitted that the bullying accusations made against him saw his “world collapse”.
He said: “I felt the world collapsed... I didn't have anybody around me. All the people that were supposed to be my friends disappeared. Nobody wanted to see me, they were like, 'Oh, you can't be with him’.”
After his departure from Strictly Come Dancing, Giovanni went on to star as a professional on Ballando con le Stelle - the Italian version of the dancing show - winning alongside partner Bianca Guaccero in December 2024, and finishing in second place with Francesca Fialdini in December 2025.
