Amanda Abbington’s path to Strictly, from Sherlock to drag show controversy

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When the controversy reared its head again in response to her Strictly casting, Abbington posted a video to her critics, saying: “I’m sorry if my tweet about drag shows made you feel like you can’t watch Strictly. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free This was not Abbington’s first brush with controversy – she has previously been vocal on social media about trans issues, as well as trophy hunters and US politics. The latter is the show she is best known for, having played Mary Morstan, a former assassin and the cunning wife of John Watson, played by Abbington’s then real-life partner Martin Freeman. Abbington later said: “I’m sure I’ve given my children some kind of emotional damage from the fallout of breaking up with Martin.” Her current partner is Jonathan Goodwin, who was a professional escapologist and stunt performer until, in October 2021, he was left permanently paralysed when a stunt went badly wrong.