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LAST DANCE

Strictly fans furious as stars ‘go missing’ after cast feud

STRICTLY viewers were left unhappy as one major star went missing from tonight's final.

Amanda Abbington quit the show in a shock twist weeks ago, and the BBC shared in advance that she would not be attending the dance off.

Amanda Abbington dropped out of Strictly Come Dancing in week five
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Amanda Abbington dropped out of Strictly Come Dancing in week fiveCredit: PA
She was not present at the finals tonight
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She was not present at the finals tonightCredit: BBC/Guy Levy

In a statement made earlier this week, a spokesperson for the show told OK!: "Amanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final."

The Sherlock actress was originally partnered with Italian professional Giovanni Pernice when she was granted a week off because of health struggles.

There have been rumours that the 51-year-old is feuding with her dance partner, and that might be the reason why she left Strictly.

Viewers hit out at her missing the huge final night, with one saying: "Just spotted that Nigel is there in the Clauditorium, even though he had to drop out before the end. And Amanda… isn’t."

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Another joked sarcastically: "Got to find it amusing that Claudia says on the Strictly final everyone is back. Can she see Amanda Abbington when no one else can?"

Nigel also quit the show after a rib injury forced him out an hour before the quarter-finals.

Fans were left devastated as the soap star had to bow out of the competition at the beginning of December, alongside pro Katya Jones.

The pair had been one of the favourites to win before the medical mishap.

However, he confirmed he would make his Strictly comeback alonsgide Katya in the final.

A rep said: "Nigel Harman will be returning for the final of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday 16th December, he will be featured in the show alongside other 2023 cast members.

Nigel Harman was booked to attend the final despite quitting the show
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Nigel Harman was booked to attend the final despite quitting the showCredit: BBC
He dropped out a matter of weeks ago after a rib injury
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He dropped out a matter of weeks ago after a rib injuryCredit: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire
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