Who is Amanda Abbington? Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 contestant
Everyone's favourite sequin-filled series has returned to BBC One.
Once again, Amanda Abbington sailed through the week on Strictly Come Dancing 2023, after she took to the dance floor with the foxtrot.
Last weekend, the actress - who is best known for her roles in Sherlock and Mr Selfridge - performed the dance with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice to the Fleetwood Mac hit Everywhere.
Their Week 4 display secured them an impressive 31 points and placed them joint fourth on the leaderboard, alongside Angela Rippon and her partner Kai Widdrington.
As Strictly enters Week 5 - otherwise known as Halloween Week - Abbington and Pernice will be performing a spooky cha-cha to Canned Heat by Jamiroquai.
Following her performances, the star has marked herself as a strong contender to lift this year's Glitterball trophy, having impressed judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
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And while she is grateful for the support of her family, Amanda exclusively revealed to RadioTimes.com that her daughter is rooting for an entirely different contestant.
She said: "My daughter's going to a party with her boyfriend and my son was going to come and sit in the audience and support his mum.
"She only wants to come to meet Giovanni. I said to her, 'Do you support me?' She said, 'No, I support Giovanni and Zara [McDermott].'"
So, who is Amanda Abbington and how does she feel about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing 2023? Read on to find out.
Who is Amanda Abbington?
Age: 51
Job: Actor
Instagram: @amanda_abbington74
Twitter: N/A
Strictly partner: Giovanni Pernice
Amanda Abbington is best known for playing Mary Morstan in BBC One's detective drama Sherlock, where she starred opposite former husband Martin Freeman, while she also appeared as Josie Mardle in ITV period piece Mr Selfridge.
More recently, she has appeared in UKTV comedy We Are Not Alone, Netflix fantasy series Lockwood & Co and BBC Two anthology Inside No. 9.
Amanda Abbington's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard:
Week One: Viennese Waltz (7+7+8+7) = 29
Week Two: Salsa (8+8+8+8) = 32
Week Three: Rumba (6+8+8+8) = 30
Week Four: Fox Trot (7+8+8+8) = 31
What has Amanda Abbington said about joining Strictly 2023?
Abbington said: "I'm thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I'm actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things!
"Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I'm really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!"
Prior to her appearance on the talent show, Strictly Come Dancing podcast host Joe Sugg revealed he thought Abbington will surprise a lot of people this season.
"I think she will be very, very good. Yeah, I'm excited to see her dance. I think she will surprise a lot of people," he told RadioTimes.com.
When asked if he thinks she will be the dark horse of the series, the Strictly podcast host revealed he did.
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 air?
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 continues on Saturday 7th October at 6:20pm. The results show will air on Sunday 8th October.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 21st October at 6:30pm.
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