Amanda Abbington shares 'deepest regret' over Strictly Come Dancing exit

Actress Amanda Abbington has expressed her "deepest regret" at having to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC announced on Monday that the Sherlock star had left the hit dance show after missing Saturday's episode for "medical reasons".

She added that she "did not come to this decision easily or lightly... I'm so sad I am unable to go any further".

Abbington was partnered with professional Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice.

He wrote: "I am so sad we can't continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love."

In her last appearance on the show, the pair scored 31 for a quick-footed foxtrot to Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac.

Amanda Abbington's full statement:

"It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.

"It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.

"I want to thank the incredible production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It's a wonderful bunch of people and I'll miss all of them.

"I'm so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx"

The actress did not expand on her reasons for leaving the show.

After withdrawing from Saturday's episode, she shared and then reportedly deleted a picture on social media of late actor Robin Williams, who suffered from depression.

It was accompanied by the words: "People don't fake depression… they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."

Following her exit, Strictly is set to continue as normal for the duration of the series with an elimination each week until the final in December.

Four celebrities have been voted off so far this series: Les Dennis, Nikita Kanda, Jody Cundy and Eddie Kadi.

Abbington became involved in controversy earlier this year for social media comments criticising a drag show aimed at parents and children.

Previous posts about transgender women also resurfaced, and after some fans threatened to boycott the show, she apologised in August for "stupid" and "ill-informed" past comments but insisted she was not transphobic.

The actress is perhaps best known for her role in Sherlock, in which she played Mary Watson alongside her real-life husband Martin Freeman. The pair split up in 2016.