AMBER Davies has revealed how she signed up for Strictly just 24 hours after bosses approached her as to replaces Dani Dyer.
The BBC confirmed today that Amber is replacing fellow Love Island star Dani, after she pulled out following an ankle fracture.
Amber Davies has stepped in at the last minute to replace Dani Dyer on Strictly[/caption]
Dani pulled out after she fractured her ankle during rehearsals[/caption]
Amber revealed it had been a whirlwind 24 hours[/caption]
The Strictly Come Dancing celebs will all perform tomorrow night in the first live show of the series.
But bosses were forced to scramble and find a replacement for Dani following her injury during rehearsals.
Today it was revealed that fellow Love Island winner Amber Davies had been swapped in to take her place.
The 28-year-old – who is a big star in the West End – has now revealed what a whirlwind it has been for her, since she got the call from Strictly producers.
Sharing a clip of the famous theme tune on her Instagram Stories, she wrote: “A 24 hours I won’t be forgetting in a hurry!”
The star is referring to the quick turnaround from her being asked to be on the show, to then starting rehearsals with Nikita Kuzmin, who was originally Dani’s partner.
Meanwhile, after the announcement today, Amber, who won the third series of Love Island alongside former boyfriend Kem Cetinay, told fans: “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.
“I’m going to give it my all and I am sending Dani well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope I do her proud.”
Amber and Nikita will dance a Waltz on tomorrow night’s first live show of the series.
Although fans of the show are thrilled to see Amber on Strictly, some have called her signing a “fix” as she is a trained dancer.
The point of the show is to put celebrities through their paces on the dancefloor and watch them grow.
However, since winning Love Island in 2017, Amber has starred in a series of big West End musicals, including Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby.
Earlier this week, it was also revealed she would be playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde UK tour.
This also isn’t her first foray into reality TV dancing competitions either, as she competed in the 2024 series of Dancing on Ice, where she was the eighth celebrity to be eliminated.
Amber is a trained dancer and has appeared in numerous musicals in the West End[/caption]
Some fans think this gives her an unfair advantage.
Taking to social media to vent, one fans said: “So they replaced one Love Island winner with another, except this one’s a trained West End star. At least Lewis has some competition now at least?”
A second added: “She’s a trained West End star. I really like her but this is ridiculous.”
“As much as I love Amber she’s another trained dancer. (Yes I know she’s not trained in ballroom) but still has rhythm and dance experience,” noted another.
“Not really fair. She dances and sings for a living,” highlighted a user.
Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators will be showing off his dance moves on this year’s show.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston has signed up.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain.
- Eastenders actress Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has been confirmed.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, joins Strictly.
- Dani Dyer pulled out with injury and has been replaced by Love Island winner Amber Davies.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein became the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing
- I’m a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant.
- Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
