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The Understudy's Spotlight

How Amber Davies Became Strictly's Surprise Contender

Saturday, 25 October 2025 19:15

Abstract

A sudden injury forced a dramatic, last-minute cast change in the twenty-third series of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Just days before the first live performance, Dani Dyer withdrew, creating an unexpected vacancy. Into this high-pressure void stepped Amber Davies, a reality television winner turned established West End star, who inherited a partner and a routine with less than 48 hours to prepare, altering the course of the competition from its very first beat.

Historical Context

Recent Findings

An Unfortunate Fracture

The twenty-third series of 'Strictly Come Dancing' began its journey to the airwaves like many before it. The launch show, broadcast on 20 September 2025, introduced a new cast of celebrity hopefuls to the nation, pairing them with their professional dance partners for the weeks of competition ahead. Among the contestants was Dani Dyer, a television personality who had won the reality show 'Love Island' in 2018. She was partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, and the pair took to the floor for the traditional group number, building anticipation for their competitive debut.

Behind the scenes, however, events took an unfortunate turn. During rehearsals on the Friday following the launch, Dyer had a fall and landed awkwardly on her foot. Initially believing she had merely rolled her ankle, she found that the swelling worsened significantly over the weekend. An MRI scan delivered a more serious diagnosis: a fractured ankle. On medical advice, it became clear that continuing in the demanding dance competition was impossible. Doctors advised that performing a Quickstep on the injury was not advisable.

On Tuesday, 23 September 2025, just four days before the first scheduled live show, the BBC confirmed Dyer's withdrawal from the competition. Dyer expressed her devastation, stating, "To say I'm heartbroken is the biggest understatement." The announcement sent shockwaves through the production, leaving Kuzmin without a partner and the show with an unexpected vacancy at the eleventh hour. Sarah James, the show's executive producer, praised the passion and joy Dyer had brought to rehearsals, noting that her partnership with Kuzmin was off to a "sensational start". Fellow contestants and judges, including Shirley Ballas and Amy Dowden, shared messages of support online.

A Whirlwind Casting

With a celebrity slot suddenly open and the first live show looming, producers were faced with the challenge of finding a replacement who could step in under immense pressure. The call went out to Amber Davies, a Welsh actress and performer. The offer was extended on a Thursday, leaving a remarkably short window before the live broadcast on Saturday, 27 September. On Friday, 26 September, the BBC officially announced that Davies would join the cast, a mere 24 hours before she was due to perform for the first time.

Davies described the experience as "the craziest 24 hours of my life." She immediately began rehearsals with Nikita Kuzmin, inheriting the partnership that had been established with Dyer. The task was formidable: to learn a complete ballroom routine and build a rapport with a new partner in less than two days. Davies, a self-professed lifelong fan of the show, acknowledged the unusual circumstances of her entry, sending well wishes to Dyer for a speedy recovery and expressing her hope to do her predecessor proud. She was thrown directly into the deep end, posting a picture from the rehearsal room with Kuzmin just hours after her participation was confirmed.

From Reality Television to the West End

While her last-minute entrance was a surprise, Amber Davies was not an unprepared novice. Born in Denbigh, North Wales, she developed a passion for performance from a young age, competing in traditional Welsh singing festivals. At 16, she earned a scholarship to train in musical theatre at London's prestigious Urdang Academy. Her initial public recognition came not from the stage, but from the same reality television genre as the celebrity she was replacing. In 2017, Davies won the third series of 'Love Island' alongside her then-partner Kem Cetinay.

Following her victory, Davies made a determined and successful transition into a professional acting career, leveraging her formal training. She made her West End debut in 2019 in '9 to 5: The Musical'. This was followed by a succession of leading roles in major productions, including 'Bring It On: The Musical', 'Back to the Future: The Musical', and 'Pretty Woman'. More recently, she starred as Jordan Baker in the UK premiere of 'The Great Gatsby' in 2025. Just before the 'Strictly' call came, it had been announced she would play the lead role of Elle Woods in the 2026 UK tour of 'Legally Blonde'. This extensive experience in musical theatre, which combines acting, singing, and demanding choreography, provided her with a strong foundation in discipline and performance under pressure. She had also previously competed in the sixteenth series of 'Dancing on Ice' in 2024, giving her prior experience with the demands of a televised performance competition.

An Impressive Debut

On Saturday, 27 September, Davies and Kuzmin took to the 'Strictly' ballroom floor for the first live show of the series. With less than 48 hours of training together, they performed a Waltz to Adele's 'When We Were Young'. After the performance, Davies remarked, "I didn't think this was going to be my Saturday night." The response from the judging panel was overwhelmingly positive, particularly given the time constraints.

Head judge Shirley Ballas called the performance "outstanding" and "miraculous," adding, "If you'd have had two weeks like everybody else, my mind boggles." Anton Du Beke described the dance as "gorgeous" and noted Davies' "enormous potential," while Motsi Mabuse labelled the new partnership a "dynamite package." The pair received scores of seven from three of the judges, with Du Beke awarding a six, for a total of 27 out of a possible 40 points. The strong debut immediately positioned Davies as a serious contender, with some viewers drawing parallels to former winner Kelvin Fletcher, who also joined his series as a late replacement and went on to lift the glitterball trophy.

In the subsequent weeks, Davies has continued to impress. The duo's Samba in the second week earned them a score of 29. They later performed the season's first Argentine Tango, for which they received a score of 33. This placed them consistently near the top of the leaderboard, cementing Davies' status as one to watch in the competition. For the upcoming 'Icons Week' of the competition, the pair are set to perform a Cha Cha.

Conclusion

The abrupt departure of a contestant due to injury is a rare and disruptive event for a production as finely tuned as 'Strictly Come Dancing'. It created a narrative of high drama before the competition had truly begun. Amber Davies' entry into the 2025 series was a direct consequence of this misfortune. Yet, her ability to not only cope with the extreme pressure of a last-minute call-up but to excel from her very first performance has reshaped the story. Her background in the demanding world of West End theatre has evidently equipped her with the resilience and rapid learning ability required for such a challenge. While she entered the ballroom as an understudy, her subsequent performances have demonstrated that she is a formidable frontrunner in her own right, turning a moment of crisis for the show into a compelling story of unexpected opportunity.

References

  1. Amber Davies - Wikipedia

    Provides a comprehensive overview of Amber Davies' life and career, including her birth date, training at the Urdang Academy, winning Love Island, her extensive West End roles, and her participation in Dancing on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing as a replacement for Dani Dyer.

  2. Strictly Come Dancing series 23 - Wikipedia

    Details the timeline of the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing, including the launch show date, the first live show date, and the specific dates of Dani Dyer's withdrawal and Amber Davies' announcement as her replacement.

  3. Dani Dyer-Bowen leaves Strictly Come Dancing after fracturing ankle in rehearsal

    Reports on Dani Dyer's withdrawal from the competition, confirming the cause was a fractured ankle sustained during rehearsals. Includes quotes from Dyer and details of her original pairing with Nikita Kuzmin.

  4. Amber Davies wins Love Island 2017 | North Wales Live

    Confirms Amber Davies' victory in the 2017 series of Love Island alongside Kem Cetinay, establishing her initial rise to public fame.

  5. Love Islander Amber Davies joins Strictly one day before first live show after Dani Dyer's dramatic exit - Yahoo News UK

    Specifies the exact timing of Amber Davies joining the show, confirming it was one day before the first live performance. Includes a direct quote from Davies about the "craziest 24 hours".

  6. Strictly Come Dancing star Dani Dyer 'heartbroken' as she's forced to withdraw days before live show - Evening Standard

    Provides details on Dani Dyer's injury, confirming it was a fractured ankle sustained in rehearsals. Includes quotes from Dyer and the show's executive producer, Sarah James.

  7. Dani Dyer pulls out of Strictly 2025 after ankle fracture - The Hereford Times

    Corroborates the reason for Dani Dyer's departure as a fractured ankle and quotes her statement explaining the injury occurred after a fall in rehearsals.

  8. BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2025 launch: Date, start time and full celebrity line-up

    Confirms the dates for the 2025 launch show (20 September) and the first live show (27 September), providing a clear timeline for the events.

  9. Who is Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies? BBC confirm Dani Dyer's replacement

    Announces Amber Davies as the replacement for Dani Dyer and lists the other contestants in the 2025 series, providing context for the competition.

  10. Dani Dyer forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing with fractured ankle - The Independent

    Confirms the details of Dani Dyer's injury and withdrawal, including quotes from her statement and messages of support from the judges.

  11. Love Islander Amber Davies joins Strictly one day before first live show after Dani Dyer's dramatic exit - Cosmopolitan

    Reiterates the key facts of the replacement, stating that Davies joined one day before the first live show and includes her quote about the experience.

  12. Dani Dyer Strictly replacement announced as Amber Davies | News and Star

    A straightforward news report confirming Amber Davies, a 2017 Love Island winner and theatre actor, as the replacement for Dani Dyer.

  13. Dani Dyer Strictly replacement announced as Amber Davies - Ledbury Reporter

    Confirms Davies as the replacement and lists some of her previous stage productions, supporting the information about her West End career.

  14. Who is Amber Davies? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant and actress

    Provides up-to-date information on Davies' progress in the competition, including her scores, her high placement on the leaderboard, and the dance planned for 'Icons Week'.

  15. Welsh dancer Amber Davies wins Love Island but what happened to the show's previous winners? | Wales Online

    Confirms Amber Davies' win on Love Island in 2017, providing a key detail of her career background before her transition to theatre.

  16. Amber Davies joins Strictly Come Dancing line-up - WhatsOnStage

    Reports on Davies joining Strictly as a late addition and confirms her recent role in 'The Great Gatsby' and her upcoming lead role in the 'Legally Blonde' tour.

  17. West End star Amber Davies to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up

    Highlights Davies' status as a 'West End star' and confirms her casting in the 'Legally Blonde' tour, reinforcing her theatrical credentials.

  18. Who is Amber Davies? Musical career, stage shows and more - WhatsOnStage

    Lists several of Amber Davies' key West End roles, including 'Back to the Future', '9 to 5', and 'Bring It On', which is crucial for detailing her stage career.

  19. Love Island winner Amber Davies confirmed as fourth Dancing on Ice celebrity - Nottinghamshire Live

    Confirms Davies' participation in the 2024 series of 'Dancing on Ice', showing her prior experience in a televised celebrity competition involving performance.

  20. Strictly's Amber Davies seen with pro partner for first time since replacing Dani Dyer

    Describes how quickly Davies began rehearsals with Nikita Kuzmin after being announced as the replacement, illustrating the high-pressure, fast-paced nature of her entry.

  21. Spotlight on: Amber Davies | London Theatre Direct

    Provides a detailed summary of Davies' theatre career, including her debut in '9 to 5' and subsequent roles in 'Back to the Future' and 'The Great Gatsby', cementing her credentials as a West End performer.

  22. BBC Strictly's Amber Davies' partner and if she'll dance on first live show | Wales Online

    Confirms that Davies would be partnered with Nikita Kuzmin and would perform a Waltz in the first live show, providing specific details of her debut.

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  24. Amber Davies - City St George's, University of London

    An interview with Davies where she discusses her training at Urdang, her early life in Wales, and her career path, including her decision to go on Love Island. Provides valuable background information.

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    Confirms Davies' entry, her partnership with Kuzmin, and includes her quote about it being a 'dream come true' and her well wishes for Dani Dyer.

  26. Who is Amber Davies? Love Island, West End career and more | Times and Star

    Provides a concise summary of Davies' career trajectory from Love Island winner to established West End performer, listing her key stage credits.

  27. Amber Davies announced as new Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant following Dani Dyer's heartbreaking exit - Woman & Home

    Reports on Davies' casting and includes her quote about wanting to make Dani Dyer proud, adding an emotional context to her replacement role.

  28. Strictly's Amber Davies says 'she'd never believe it' in emotional admission after training 'realness' - Manchester Evening News

    Details the whirlwind nature of Davies' entry into the show and confirms her high score for the Argentine Tango, showing her continued success in the competition.

  29. How Amber Davies went from X Factor backing singer to Love Island winner and West End Star - HELLO! Magazine

    Provides details about Davies' early life, including her training at the Urdang Academy from age 16 and her early performance experiences.

  30. Amber Davies breaks silence on first Strictly Come Dancing performance as Nikita Kuzmin steals show

    Gives a detailed account of Davies' first performance, including the dance style (Waltz), the song, the judges' comments (specifically from Anton Du Beke), and the final scores.

  31. Inside Strictly's Amber Davies life from famous boyfriend to Love Island fame - Daily Express

    Confirms that Davies had less than 48 hours of practice for her debut Waltz routine, emphasizing the time pressure she was under.

  32. Strictly Come Dancing viewers say same thing as Amber Davies performs for first time

    Captures the positive reaction to Davies' first dance, quoting the judges' praise (Ballas, Du Beke, Mabuse) and noting the audience comparison to former winner Kelvin Fletcher.

  33. Strictly Come Dancing LIVE: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back after shock exit news

    Provides a recent leaderboard update, confirming Amber Davies' third-place position with a score of 33, which supports the claim of her being a high-scorer.

  34. Amber Davies breaks silence on first Strictly Come Dancing performance as Nikita Kuzmin steals show - Manchester Evening News

    Corroborates the details of the first performance, including the dance, song, and the specific scores awarded by the judges (a six from Anton, sevens from the others).

  35. Strictly's Amber Davies 'brought to tears' in show admission as she responds to criticism - Liverpool Echo

    Confirms the timeline of Davies getting the call on a Thursday for the Saturday show, and details her scores for the first two weeks (Waltz and Samba), showing her consistent high performance.

  36. Strictly Come Dancing fans praise Amber Davies for same reason amid 'dance experience' backlash - Yahoo News UK

    Highlights the positive public and critical reaction to Davies performing so well with less than 24 hours' notice, reinforcing the impressive nature of her debut.

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