Strictly's Amanda Abbington returns to BBC as fans spot 'subtle dig'

Amanda Abbington returned to TV on Wednesday night with a starring role in the final episode of hit BBC one series Inside No 9.

And fans of the Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton dark comedy series say they spotted a ‘subtle dig’ involving the former Strictly Come Dancing and Sherlock star in the episode.

The final episode of the final, ninth series of Inside No 9 ended with a metacommentary-esque row between stars Rhys and Steve as they acted out a bust-up at the wrap party of Inside No 9.

Here, Amanda Abbington returned along with a host of guest stars from across the programme’s nine series, including The IT Crowd’s Katherine Parkinson, Sherlock star Mark Gatiss, Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed, Tamsin Greig, Kevin Bishop and lots more.

But it was Amanda Abbington’s TV return which had people talking - especially the moment Amanda, playing a fictional version of herself at the wrap party, walked into a gender-neutral toilet in the episode.

@darkvortexx said: “Inside no 9 finale was lovely. Bordered on self indulgent but they're allowed that.

Amanda Abbington going into a gender neutral bathroom is the most fantastical element of the story,”

@lessejingard said; “The big twist in the last #InsideNo9 is Amanda Abbington using a gender neutral toilet”

But others were thrilled to see Amanda return, in her second appearance on the BBC since Strictly following joining Meet The Richardsons for one episode.

@alligatoruk1975 said: “Just to say that I'm hating all the s*** being thrown at #AmandaAbbington in the press - she is a beautiful soul & doesn't deserve any of it.

“She came up to us & offered to take our group photo - she didn't need to do that but she's so kind. We made her get on of course!”

@sherrysincw said: “Definitely subtle dig at “gender neutral toilets” in #InsideNo9 last night. “It’s great it’s equality …. And you get to look at the ladies”. And of course Amanda Abbington returned looking fab.”

Inside No 9’s self referential finale was a little divisive but many fans saw it as the perfect send-off.

@natalie22304704 said: “So gutted it's over, one of my favourite programmes ever, I've started right back at the beginning to watch all over again”

@toodlypipski said: “Utterly brilliant ending to #insideno9 last night and loved all the references to past episodes. Perfection. Only gutted that the twist wasn't more episodes…”

@archivesofjames said; “Brilliant that Katherine Parkinson and Tim Key, the first two people we saw on screen in the first #InsideNo9 were also the first two people we saw in the last.”

@ken_brough said: “The final episode of #InsideNo9 was absolute perfection”