Amanda's tears

Bully row Strictly star says she felt abandoned after complaint

- MARK JEFFERIES

TEARFUL Amanda Abbington has said the BBC abandoned her during the Strictly bullying row, and claims they are not letting her view 50 hours of video footage.

The actress, 50, clashed with professional partner Giovanni Pernice, 33, and their relationship is being probed by the BBC as part of a review.

In her first TV interview on the subject, Amanda told Channel 4 News: "I went into it thinking, it's going to be hard work. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I want to learn new dances. It's going to be fun.

"It's a Saturday night television show on BBC One so there will be an element of hard work, I get that. I'm a hard worker. I'm a grafter.