Martin Freeman's three-word reply reveals true feelings for Amanda Abbington after split

Sherlock stars Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington were in a relationship for 16 years and share two children.

By Leah Stanfield, Assistant Showbiz Editor

Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington

Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington were in a long-term relationship (Image: PA)

Amanda Abbington has been making headlines this week following her bombshell TV interviews recounting her alleged "toxic" stint on Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice.

Throughout the years, Amanda, 50, has faced numerous challenges in the spotlight, including battles with her mental health during particularly tough times.

She previously shared her harrowing thoughts following her split from long-time partner Martin Freeman, 52, where she tragically wondered about her life's worth.

She said last year on the Full Disclosure podcast: "It was breaking up with Martin and then realising I needed to sort myself out because I was a bit of a mess. I hated myself."

The BBC Sherlock actress and her former co-star split after a 16-year relationship in 2016. They met in 2000 on the set of Men Only and they have two children together: Joe, 18, and Grace, 16.

Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington attend the Royal Film Performance of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on December 12, 2012

Amanda Abbington said she 'hated' herself following her split from Martin Freeman. (Image: Getty Images)

Martin Freeman, who is usually reserved about his private life, has only recently opened up about their split.

The Office actor confirmed he had separated from Amanda during an interview with the Financial Times in 2016.

He declared: "I'm not with Amanda anymore. It's very, very amicable - I'll always love Amanda."

Amanda later shared the reason for their breakup, admitting they "just couldn't live with each other any more".

Martin Freeman (L) and Amanda Abbington attend an after party celebrating the Gala Night performance of Richard III, playing at

Amanda Abbington and Martin Freeman split "amicably" in 2016. (Image: Getty Images)

Speaking to the Sunday Times Magazine, Amanda said: "When we broke up nobody knew, we didn't tell anybody except for a few key people because they had to know, because of the logistics of hotels and stuff.

"It took six months for it to get out and a lot of that was while we were working on Sherlock... We were professional and we were going to get on and make a show and be civil to each other."

Since their split, the pair have both found new loves. Martin has been romantically linked to French actress Rachel Mariam, famed for her work as a scriptwriter and producer.

Amanda is engaged to stuntman Jonathan Goodwin after first crossing paths on X, previously known as Twitter, back in 2012.

Amanda Abbington and Jonathan Goodwin.

Amanda Abbington is engaged to stuntman Jonathan Goodwin. (Image: Getty)

Confessing about her romance while speaking to The Guardian, she revealed: "We were both in relationships at the time, but we admired each other's work and occasionally liked each other's tweets."

They met in person years later and Jonathan proposed within half an hour of their first date.

However, tragedy struck just weeks later when Jonathan suffered a catastrophic fall during an American's Got Talent stunt that went awry.

During a perilous suspension act, Jonathan plummeted 30 feet, missing the air mattress and instead being crushed between two cars that erupted in flames.

After his devastating accident, Jonathan offered Amanda an out, but she confessed her unwavering love for him, insisting on going ahead with the wedding. She said: "Breaking up never flashed through my mind. I just thanked God he was alive."

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