‘i’ll never do reality tv again after strictly’

Amanda Abbington had a tough time after leaving Strictly Come Dancing last October, claiming that she suffered PTSD due to her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s gruelling training style.

The Sherlock actress, 52, tells

new that quitting mid-series, amid rumours of a “feud” with Giovanni, led to rape and death threats. But Amanda, who has children Joe and Grace with her former partner, actor Martin Freeman, reveals that despite going through a turbulent time, she is now in a much better place.

And when we catch up for a chat, we find out there will even be wedding bells next year, as she plans to tie the knot with her fiancé, America’s Got Talentstuntman Jonathan Goodwin…

Hi, Amanda. How are things with you?

Good – I’m getting there.

Are you going to do any more reality TV, do you think?

No, never again. Please be kind to me. I’ve had death threats and rape threats because I left Strictly Come Dancing.

You had so much potential on Strictly. People felt you could have gone all the way…

Well, that was always what I wanted to do, but my mental and physical health was far more important. My friends have helped me through it. It’s been a rough few months.

Do you have any exciting new acting roles lined up?

Yes, I’m doing a play about the justice system. It’s an American play and I play a journalist whose daughter gets raped.

Have you been to visit any rape victims?

I’m still doing my research.

Isn’t that a really dark place to go to mentally for a role?

It is, but because I’m an actor, I love it. It’s really nice to get back to acting again. I’ve been doing it for 30 years now, so I’m comfortable there.

What about your children? Would you be happy if they followed you into acting?

Joe is – he’s already gone into it. He’s just done a role in Doctors, and he’s also just starred in a Paul Weller [music] video. I love Paul’s music, too.

Did Paul hand-pick him for the role in the video?

He had to audition, so there’s no nepoti