Amber’s Ballroom Breakdown

Amber Davies has revealed that Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals have left her “in tears” after she was drafted into the BBC competition at the last minute. The 29-year-old performer was brought in with just 48 hours’ notice to replace Dani Dyer, who had to pull out due to injury before the show’s first live performance.

Amber, who first found fame as the winner of Love Island in 2017, has since carved out a strong career in musical theatre, starring in Pretty Woman: The Musical and The Great Gatsby. Her sudden addition to Strictly came just days after she was announced to take on the role of Elle Woods in a new UK tour of Legally Blonde, following in the footsteps of Sheridan Smith and Lucie Jones.

However, what should have been a dream moment has been clouded by criticism from some viewers who argue her theatre background gives her an advantage. Amber was quick to set the record straight during an appearance on This Morning alongside her professional dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin.

“Even just walking left, right, left, right brought me to tears because it’s so much more complicated than you imagine,” she admitted.

Amber explained that while she’s trained in performance, ballroom and Latin dancing are “worlds apart” from musical theatre. She added that she’s approaching the show as a total beginner and is determined to put in the hard work to earn her place.

Nikita, who joined Strictly in 2021, praised Amber for her focus and commitment in rehearsals, calling her one of his most hard-working celebrity partners yet. The pair impressed judges and viewers alike with their first performance, topping the leaderboard last week.

Reaction online has been mixed — while some fans claim Amber’s previous experience gives her an edge, others have defended her, arguing that stage skills don’t automatically translate to ballroom technique. Many have also expressed excitement to see her partnership with Nikita develop as the series continues.

Despite the pressure and emotion behind the scenes, Amber remains positive about her whirlwind journey. With just days to prepare, she’s determined to prove that talent and determination — not background —will define her Strictly story.