Amanda Abbington has taken to social media to plea “leave me alone” in an emotional statement.
The Sherlock star found herself making headlines after a clip featuring her mockumentary Meet The Richardsons character surfaced.
Taking to her Instagram stories, the 52-year-old shared in a written statement: “Meet the Richardsons was an acting job.
“I’m an actress. That’s my career. I’ve cultivated my career for 31 years. I would never treat anyone like that in real life. Obviously.
“I’m posting this because some folks seem to think it newsworthy.
“If you could just leave me alone for a bit, that would be lovely. Loads of other stuff going on in the world. It’s all feeling pretty relentless.” She ended the statement with a heart emoji.
The actress pleaded 'leave me alone' on social media
BBC
A circulated clip from mockumentary series Meet The Richardsons, in which Abbington plays an exaggerated version of herself, show her fuming: “No!" after a fan asks for a photo.
“F*****g Sherlock, f*****g fans are the f*****g worst,” she added angrily, continuing: “'Want to get a selfie' oh shut up, t**t!”
Later in the episode, another fan asked: “Aren’t you in Sherlock? Can I get a selfie?” before Abbington’s character furiously pulls the phone out of her fan’s hand and throws it, yelling: “No you can't get a f*****g selfie you stupid Sherlock.”
While the scenes are fictional, some seem to have taken the reports seriously, sparking Abbington to take to social media over the clips.
Abbington released a statement on Instagram
Instagram amanda_abbington74
Abbington has been in the news a fair amount since her Strictly Come Dancing stint last year.
She was partnered with Giovanni Pernice but pulled out of the series on week five following reports of a "feud" between her and the Italian dancer.
Months later it was reported she had requested footage from behind-the-scenes rehearsals after revealing a PTSD diagnosis following her experience on the show.
The BBC has since defended Pernice, with the broadcaster reportedly “puzzled” by Abbington’s requests.
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Abbington pulled out of last year's Strictly Come Dancing
BBC
When asked about the allegations last month, Pernice refrained from giving his view on the actress’ claims.
It has also since been reported Pernice’s former Strictly partners, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh, have contacted one and Abbington another to discuss their own experiences with the dancer.
The stars have supposedly reached out to each other on social media and gathered in March, with “tears being shed” over their “difficult experiences”.
Good Morning Britain presenter Singh, 46, had complained about Pernice on the 2020 show, while Whitmore’s experience with him in 2016 left her “crying every day”.