Amanda Abbington dealt huge boost to Strictly chances despite 'boycott' over star's trans posts

Amanda Abbington dealt huge boost to Strictly chances despite 'boycott' over star's trans posts

WATCH NOW: Amanda Abbington hits back at 'boycott' backlash

INSTAGRAM/AMANDA ABBINGTON
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 14/10/2023

- 06:00

Updated: 15/10/2023

- 09:26

A number of Strictly Come Dancing fans have been vocal in their opposition of the actor's participation

Amanda Abbington appears to have added to the misery of her critics thanks to new data obtained by GB News.

The Strictly Come Dancing star has been setting the dancefloor alight with her routines alongside Giovanni Pernice but was written off by many prior to even setting foot in the ballroom.


Abbington has been the subject of furore by trans activists and cancel culture enforcers after a series of old tweets re-emerged prior to her Strictly stint.

In posts on her now-deleted X account, formerly known as Twitter, Abbington was vocal in her condemnation of a clip of a young child in drag performing for adults.

She also shared a video of an adult in drag performing for children but defended herself against those who accused her of transphobia by writing: "I never mentioned the trans community! How on earth is my post transphobic?

"I'm saying you do not perform that kind of act in front of BABIES. It's abhorrent."

Abbington was also accused by some of "liking" transphobic posts and suggested those without "proper, real breast milk in your breasts" shouldn't "try and breastfeed your baby".

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington

Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington have impressed on the dancefloor

BBC

Before Strictly kicked off, Abbington did release a lengthy video on Instagram where she explained why she'd deleted her X account and defended herself against those threatening to "boycott" the BBC show.

"Now, I need to make this very clear. I love drag," Abbington said at the time. "I think it's an amazing form of entertainment and I f*****g love drag queens.

"I think they're hilarious and brilliant, and it's an art form. And I think there's absolutely a place for it in the entertainment industry.

"But my tweet back in March was regarding a 12-year-old who was doing it in front of adults and it just upset me because I saw a kid, a little kid, a 12-year-old doing something very over-sexualised and I didn't think it was right."

Abbington - who was also forced to wear a brace thanks to a rib injury earlier this month - hasn't let the criticism stop her from impressing the likes of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas over the past few weeks.

In fact, Abbington scored 30 in Week Three, 32 in Week Two and 29 in Week One, meaning she and Pernice have never finished lower than fifth on the weekly Strictly leaderboards.

But despite her impressive routines, boycott calls have continued, with one person tweeting over the weekend: "Does anyone have same affliction as me where I tell Amanda to 'f*** off' whenever she’s shown #Strictly."

"Because #Amanda is on #Strictly this year I can not watch the show," a second added. "I support #trans first and foremost. But i so wanted to see #Layton on it. So good on him tonight. Following his journey on #twitter instead. #VoteLayton."

A third added: "Amanda Abbington just gives off bad vibes and I don’t know why but finding it very hard to watch her perform on #Strictly."

While a fourth remarked: "Oh. Damn. My TV just suddenly turned itself off. Well, I guess I better give it ten minutes before turning it back on. #Strictly." (sic)

In what is a major boost for Abbington, however, it appears bookies aren't letting the online whinges affect her chances of bagging Strictly glory.

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In fact, according to the team at OLBG (Online Betting Guide), Abbington has sailed past Ellie Leach in the odds, with her now standing at 6/1 with the company to lift the Glitterball.

She's only beaten by the likes of Nigel Harman (2/1), Bobby Brazier (3/1), and Angela Scanlon (11/2) in the market.

And Abbington's popularity and performances has resulted in another shift upwards with bookmakers Ladbrokes as well.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said to GB News and other outlets: "Amanda Abbington is fast becoming a serious contender for this year's Glitterball Trophy.

"Our traders are keeping a close eye on her right now," he added, with Ladbrokes newly pricing her at 5/1 and as a third-favourite behind Harman (7/4) and Brazier (3/1).

Abbington and Pernice will have to impress in Week Four of the competition this weekend as they take on the Foxtrot to Fleetwood Mac classic, Everywhere.

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