Amanda Abbington on finding out about Jonathan Goodwin's accident - as couple ... trends now
Amanda Abbington has opened up on the 'crazy whirlwind' of events after finding out her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin had been in an accident.
Jonathan was paralysed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021, following a stunt where he attempted to escape from a straight jacket while being hung upside down 30 feet in the air.
The actress, 48, started dating the America's Got Talent star, 42, after her split from Martin Freeman.
Difficult: Amanda Abbington has opened up on the 'crazy whirlwind' of events after finding out her fiancé Jonathan Goodwin had been in an accident
The couple then confirmed their engagement in 2021 after Goodwin proposed within minutes of meeting the actress for the first time in Vienna.
But just weeks after Jonathan proposed, he was in the accident which saw him crushed by two cars on fire.
Now, speaking about the horrific time, Amanda said she initially 'didn't think about the stunt' and shared how she received the news.
Speaking to The Times, she said: '[The stunt] was dangerous, but I knew Jonathan was a perfectionist so I didn’t think any more about it.
Tragic: Jonathan was paralysed for life in a tragic accident in October 2021 , following a stunt where he attempted to escape from a straight jacket while being hung upside down 30 feet in the air
'When I woke up the following morning there was a voicemail from his stunt co-ordinator: “Jonathan’s had an accident. It’s not great news.”
'Then it all became a crazy whirlwind; finding out what had happened, flying his family out there.'
She then explained the severity of accident, sharing he had fell and lost a kidney, broken both shoulder blades, shattered both legs, broke his spine and severed his spinal cord.
Amanda continued: 'We did eventually speak on the phone. He called to say he was having an operation and there was a strong chance he might not make it.
'He told me that he loved me and I honestly thought that was the last time I’d hear his voice.'
Scary: Now, speaking about the horrific time, Amanda said she initially 'didn't think about the stunt' and shared how she received the news
Proud: The actress gushed that she is so in love with her 'independant and strong' husband-to-be that she 'forgets he's in a wheelchair'
Last year the couple had revealed that they planned to get married in 2022, but remained coy on the details.
Now, Jonathan sharing his lessons on life and his gratitude for Amanda has confirmed the pair will be marrying in June.
He explained to The Times: 'I wouldn’t recommend nearly dying, but it teaches you a lot about living.
'I look at Amanda and pinch myself. This gorgeous, wonderful, funny woman likes me and we’re getting married in June.
'There is a bit of me that wants to arrive at church via parachute or zip wire, but Amanda has made it crystal clear that this will be a traditional wedding. And if I go anywhere near my former career, I suspect that it will be one of the shortest marriages on record!'
Honest: Amanda revealed in May 2022 that her partner now uses a wheelchair after he sustained a number of serious injuries during rehearsals for America's Got Talent: Extreme
The couple first crossed paths on Twitter in 2012, while they were both involved in other relationships - she with actor Martin Freeman, best known for his work on sitcom The Office and Peter Jackson blockbuster The Hobbit, and he with now ex-wife Katy.
A mutual respect for one another's work sparked an initial friendship, but it would be a further nine years - by which time they were both single - before they fell for one another.
By then Goodwin was based in Las Vegas, but a seven-hour phone-call with Abbington
