Strictly judge Anton Du Beke speaks out on Amanda Abbington’s shock exit

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke believes Amanda Abbington could have made it “all the way to the final” as he reflected on the star’s “terribly sad” exit from the show.

It was confirmed earlier this week that the Sherlock star, 49, was leaving the show after she and pro partner Giovanni Pernice did not take part in last weekend’s episode.

“It’s terribly sad because she was terrific. She could have made it all the way to the final,” Du Beken said during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Wednesday 25 October.

A statement from Strictly said Abbington was “unable to continue and has decided to withdraw from the competition”.