Insiders told The Sun how the Hollywood star has reached out to support her

AMANDA Abbington has been boosted with support from her ex Martin Freeman amid the ongoing Strictly scandal.

Insiders told The Sun Hobbit actor Martin, who split from Amanda after 16 years in 2016, has reached out to support her.

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Amanda Abbington has been supported by her famous actor ex amid the Strictly abuse scandalCredit: Pixel8000

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Amanda made an official complaint against her Strictly partner Giovanni PerniceCredit: PA
Amanda, 50, has been subjected to death threats and a torrent of hate after making an official complaint against her Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice, 33.

She is now awaiting the findings of a BBC probe into her allegations over Giovanni’s training methods.

But pals close to the Sherlock actress said she’s been boosted by Martin’s kindness as well as the support from her fiancee and “rock” Jonathan Goodwin.

A source said: “Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently.

“They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake.

“He was left worried and concerned at learning about the things which Amanda has been going through. And it’s been really heartening for Amanda to know that she has Martin’s support.

“She’s been through hell recently, and had to endure death threats and hateful messages. She’s relied heavily on her fiancee Jonathan who has been an absolute rock throughout all of this.”

The BBC’s investigation could be set to conclude this week.

On Monday The Sun told how the BBC were set to finish their probe this week.

Amanda, 50, launched a complaint against Giovanni, accusing him of being “abusive, cruel and mean” earlier this year.

The dancer, 33, who quit the BBC show after nine years in May, has denied any wrongdoing.

It is believed six people were spoken to during the probe, including Laura Whitmore, Giovanni’s dance partner in 2016.

Laura also alleged inappropriate behaviour and told how she raised concerns at the time.

She said last month: “I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.”

Insiders said the investigation was due to conclude at the end of this week, with those involved to be handed the findings. It may now extend into next week.

Amid the investigation, fellow Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima was sacked by the BBC for gross misconduct after it emerged he kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott last year.

The Sun went on to reveal how the BBC received two complaints about him but they were swept aside.

Amanda told The Sun on Sunday last month that she had been sent death threats after speaking out, but wanted to prevent future contestants suffering.

Strictly’s full scandal so far

Strictly Come Dancing’s scandal has been growing over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on. Here are the key moments of what’s happened so far

16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.

17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.

16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.

8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.

10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.

13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.

Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”

15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.

16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.

19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.

21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.

22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.

22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.

23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.

23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.

23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.

“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”

24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.

27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.

She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.

28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.

August 10: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”

He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.

She said: “I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.

“I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.”

A spokesperson for Giovanni said last night: “We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes.

“Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”

The BBC added: “We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging in speculation.”

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Martin Freeman split from Amanda after 16 years in 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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Pals said she’s been boosted by Martin’s kindnessCredit: PA