Express.co.uk spoke exclusively to Krishnan Guru Murthy and Les Dennis as they celebrated Amanda Abbington’s starring role in the play When It Happens To You.
Trolls had vowed to attack her onstage if she refused to withdraw complaints she made about her 2023 dance partner. However, not to be swayed, she defiantly spoke to police a second time to hand them further “evidence” and has soldiered on with her stint at London’s Park Theatre.
When asked what empowerment message he’d deliver to Amanda to boost her morale, Krishnan Guru Murthy declared: “She doesn’t need one. She’s empowering herself through the play.”
Les Dennis elaborated further, revealing: “I’d tell her, ‘You are amazing.’ She’s an extraordinary, wonderful woman and I knew that when we worked together.” He added that he “is supporting her absolutely, as a friend”.
Talking of the “powerful” performance he’d seen onstage, he marvelled: “It was an extraordinary sensitive performance by Amanda and an extraordinary ensemble cast that was so good. It blew my socks off!” He added that his favourite part was the ending – which Express.co.uk will not reveal here, but involves the audience discovering that Amanda’s character went through the same traumatic experience as the daughter she had been comforting, but more than 20 years earlier.
Les Dennis confided: “I couldn’t take my eyes off her!”
Amanda was also supported that evening by This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary and EastEnders actress Michelle Connor, who plays Cindy Beale on the BBC soap.
Les and Krishnan were the only members of the Strictly cast to attend on the night of celebrations, although others could be set to see the play at a later date.
It appears that the Strictly judges are standing by Giovanni Pernice following allegations made against him by Amanda about his “harsh” and “cruel” training technique in rehearsals, as they will continue to work with him this year through his Ballando dance school.
Meanwhile, for Express.co.uk’s verdict on Amanda’s play, When It Happens To You, click here.
