Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice has broken his silence over the exit of his dance partner Amanda Abbington from the show.

The actress previously pulled out of last week's episode due to "health reasons" before confirming that she would not continue competing this year.

Strictly It Takes Two host Fleur East shared the news on Monday before a brief statement appeared on-screen reading: "Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition.

"The show wishes her all the best for the future".

Giovanni Pernice shares message after Strictly partner Amanda Abbington exits show

Giovanni Pernice has since shared a message with BBC viewers regarding the exit of his Strictly Come Dancing celebrity partner.

In a post on Instagram, alongside an accompanying image of him and Amanda Abbington backstage in their pyjamas, he said: "Amanda .. I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love @amanda_abbington74 @bbcstrictly."

This comes amid reports of a 'rift' between Pernice and Abbington, according to the Daily Star.

The pair were quick to shut these rumours down on Strictly's It Takes Two, with host and dancer Janette Manrara saying: "It honestly looks like you two are having the best time in rehearsals, getting along like a house on fire in rehearsals right?"

Abbington replied: "Yeah we are, we are! We do and we laugh a lot, we have the same sense of humour which is really important. So we'll come out, work hard, and then we just laugh don't we."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.