Amanda Abbington in tears as she's comforted by friend after Strictly's Giovanni Pernice controversy

Amanda Abbington was seen visibly upset during a recent outing with friends in London. The 50-year-old actress, known for her roles in Mr Selfridge and Sherlock, appeared overwhelmed as she received a consoling embrace from fellow actress Sue Vincent outside the popular celebrity spot, The Groucho Club, in Soho this Wednesday.

The emotional moment, which was captured and reported by the Mirror, follows Amanda's dramatic exit from the previous series of Strictly Come Dancing which she attributed to "personal reasons" at the time. However she has since levelled serious allegations against her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice, accusing him of behaviour and training methods that left her "broken and in tears".

Giovanni, who recently announced his departure from Strictly after a nine-year stint, has strongly refuted these accusations and is determined to prove his innocence. Addressing his 1.1m Instagram followers the dancer, who won the show with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2019, dismissed the circulating stories as "totally untrue".

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Giovanni stated: "To my fans and followers, Every week, there are totally untrue stories about me in the media. As you know, I have always rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour. The latest accusations are simply false."

Notably other past celebrity partners have also come forward with complaints against him, including an incident where he allegedly 'grabbed his crotch' during rehearsals, a claim he denies. "I am cooperating fully with the ongoing BBC investigation, which will determine the truth. As requested, I have stayed silent, but I am looking forward to the conclusion of the investigation and ultimately clearing my name and establishing the truth. I am so happy to be back on tour. Thank you all for your continued support your messages and love mean so very much to me. I will hopefully see many of you very soon and I look forward to clearing my name. With love, Giovanni."

Meanwhile, Amanda was spotted in tears outside a members' club while Giovanni, who is now facing legal action from Amanda and two other unnamed women, appeared to be feeling the strain. Earlier this week the Italian dancer was seen chain-smoking in the street and visiting two casinos before midday. Although he has already left Strictly it remains unclear whether the BBC are conducting their own investigation.

Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas has voiced her support for the dancer, stating earlier this week: "The truth will come out." In defence of Giovanni she added that she has never witnessed him behaving inappropriately and noted that he will be greatly missed in the upcoming series of the popular BBC show.

She said: "I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously in my life I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball. So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed." For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.