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Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice has been spotted for the first time since his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington sensationally quit the BBC dance show.
The dancer, 33, was pictured getting out of a cab on Wednesday as he arrived at his London home.
He looked downcast as he walked up the steps to the property wearing a black puffer jacket and tracksuit bottoms while carrying a grey backpack.
Giovanni’s appearance comes one day after Sherlock star Amanda broke her silence on her shock exit.
The 49-year-old shared a photograph of her gold dance shoes and thanked her fellow contestants and the show’s production team, but failed to mention Giovanni.
She said: “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.”
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While Giovanni did not ‘like’ or comment on her Instagram post, he did speak out on their departure in his own upload a day before.
Sharing a photograph of the pair following their Bridget Jones-themed Movie Week performance, the Italian dancer wrote: “Amanda…I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
While Amanda has not shared the exact reason behind her exit, her absence from last weekend’s live show was put down to “medical reasons”.
A Strictly spokesperson said the day before she was scheduled to appear: “Due to medical reasons, Amanda Abbington will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week.”
With news of Amanda’s exit, fans have been left wondering if the series will be cut short.
The series is expected to “continue as normal for the duration of the series” with an elimination each week until the final.
While there are usually four acts in the final, Strictly has not yet confirmed whether there will three finalists following Amanda’s departure.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One.
