BBC Strictly's Shirley Ballas addresses 'difficult' series after Amanda Abbington exit

ok.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing's head judge, Shirley Ballas, has called this series 'difficult' following Amanda Abbington's exit as she shared her thoughts on It Takes Two.

Sherlock actress Amanda left Strictly earlier this week, when Fleur East confirmed: "Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition.The show wishes her all the best for the future." Speaking on It Takes Two, Shirley shared her thoughts on the 2023 contestants as she said: "The class of 2023, the magic is always in the mix and the BBC definitely got the mix right this year didn't they? "It's a very, very difficult series.

Everybody is putting their best foot forward and everybody looks great." She's not the first judge to address Amanda's exit as Anton Du Beke told This Morning host's Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary: "That was terribly sad.

She was terrific, she could have made it all the way to the final. I thought she was very, very good." As Alison said she could do it next year, Anton added: "Maybe she will come back." sharing a heartfelt message on social media: "It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly.