Amanda Abbington denies being transphobic after Strictly backlash

Amanda Abbington has denied being transphobic and apologised for her “stupid” and “ill-informed” past comments, after a backlash over her signing for Strictly Come Dancing.

Some fans of the BBC show have claimed on social media that they would boycott this series over Abbington’s inclusion.

The actress previously tweeted her disapproval of a drag show aimed at parents with babies, calling it “abhorrent”, and of a 12-year-old dressing up as a drag performer.

She also wrote: “You cannot have a penis and want to be referred to as a woman.”

In a lengthy video posted on Instagram, Abbington said: “I’m not transphobic. I’m not a transphobic person. I am a firm supporter of the legitimate trans community; I always have been.

“I think they have been infiltrated by some people who want to cause damage and want to cause trouble and pit people off of each other [sic] and cause as much harm as possible, but I would support any trans person who is feeling persecuted or not listened to or not seen. Of course I would.

“I’m not a nasty person, I’m really not. Anyone who knows me knows that I’d give you my last tenner if you needed it. I’m not a hateful person and I support the trans community.

“I also support women’s rights and I support the importance of women within society.”

In what is believed to be a reference to her “You cannot have a penis…” quote, Abbington said: “I made a stupid comment a few years ago. I was ill-informed. I apologised and did my research and I’m much more informed now.

“I’ve said stupid things, of course I have, and instantly regretted them.”

Abbington, 49, who has appeared in Mr Selfridge and Sherlock, said she believed the online backlash was over a tweet about a 12-year-old performing in drag.

She said: “My tweet back in March was regarding a 12-year-old who was doing it in front of adults and it just upset me because I saw a kid, a little kid, a 12-year-old, doing something very over-sexualised and I didn’t think it was right.

“Personally speaking, I don’t think 12-year-olds should be performing in drag shows in overtly sexual ways because they’re 12 and they need a childhood. It’s nice for kids to have a childhood and grow up and find that out when they’re old enough to really understand it.

“And that was my tweet. I didn’t associate it with the trans community, nor would I associate it with the trans community because I think they’re two separate things.”

Cabaret show for parents of babies

In another of her tweets in March, Abbington reacted to a video from an event staged by CabaBaRave, a cabaret show aimed at parents of babies. It featured a man in bondage gear and high-heeled boots, suspended from a harness.

She said then: “I lost quite a few followers for saying that a semi-naked man in thigh high boots dancing in a highly sexualised way should be performing in front of babies and it tells me everything I need to know about where society is heading. How do you not agree with me on this?”

She added: “I’m saying you do not perform that kind of act in front of babies. It’s abhorrent.”

CabaBabaRave defended the show, saying: “Cinemas all over the country have ‘parent and baby showings’ on a weekly basis of movies of all ratings. There are many other ‘adult-led events’ designed to simply bring your baby along to.”

Another contestant on this year’s show, Layton Williams, is vocal in his support for the trans community. He recently posted a message of “love and solidarity always with my trans friends and followers”.

Abbington said she had been banned from Twitter three times for posts critical of trophy hunters, not for her views on trans rights or gender.

She has joked that her main reason for joining Strictly is to embarrass her children. She has a son and daughter from her marriage to the actor Martin Freeman, whom she divorced in 2016.

She added: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.

“Plus, I get to learn to dance, which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too. I’m quite competitive, as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start.”

Abbington also said that she was perimenopausal and at a stage of life where she wanted to “take the bull by the horns”.