The Strictly Come Dancing controversy has reached fever pitch, and at the heart of the storm is Amber Davies, the former Love Island star turned musical theatre performer. The 29-year-old, who boasts an impressive résumé with roles in West End hits like Pretty Woman and Back to the Future, has found herself in the crosshairs of furious fans. The reason? Her undeniable dance background, which many argue gives her an unfair edge in the BBC’s beloved ballroom competition. Despite her attempts to defend herself on This Morning, Amber’s explanations have only fanned the flames, turning her into a lightning rod for global outrage.
Amber stepped into the Strictly spotlight under dramatic circumstances, replacing Love Island alum Dani Dyer, who was forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle in training. Paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, Amber was expected to dazzle. But her casting sparked immediate backlash, with fans crying foul over her extensive dance training. Amber holds a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance, studied dance as a GCSE subject, trained at Danceworld Stage School, and honed her skills at the prestigious Urdang Academy. To top it off, she competed on ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2024, finishing an impressive fifth place. For many, this résumé makes her less of a celebrity novice and more of a seasoned pro.
On This Morning, hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. Labeling Amber a “professional performer with dance experience,” they pressed her on whether it was fair for trained dancers to compete alongside beginners. Amber was quick to defend herself, insisting that her musical theatre background is “worlds apart” from the precise techniques of ballroom and Latin dancing. “The ballroom and Latin community know that musical theatre is a different beast,” she argued, attempting to draw a line between her stage experience and the Strictly dancefloor.
But her defense fell flat. Social media erupted with fans who weren’t buying it. “She’s trained in musical theatre. She’s as close to a professional as you can get,” one X user fumed. Another added, “She’s a professional dancer. She was on Dancing on Ice and now she’s on Strictly. The show has lost its way.” The sentiment was clear: Amber’s attempt to downplay her skills only deepened the fans’ frustration.
In a bid to win over skeptics, Amber shared a glimpse into the challenges of her Strictly journey. During her This Morning appearance, she recounted how even simple steps in the American Smooth brought her to tears. “It’s so much more complicated than you can imagine,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion. Her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, backed her up, explaining that even a basic three-step sequence can be “really difficult” to master. But the heartfelt plea failed to sway the court of public opinion.
Fans on X were relentless, pointing out that Amber’s emotional struggle didn’t erase her years of training. “She’s desperate to win, just like she was on Dancing on Ice,” one user sniped. Another speculated, “She probably knew she was going to replace Dani as soon as she got injured.” The backlash wasn’t just about Amber’s skills—it was about the perception that Strictly had strayed from its roots as a show where celebrities learn to dance from scratch.
Amber isn’t the only contestant raising eyebrows this season. Reports suggest that a surprising number of this year’s Strictly celebrities have prior dance experience, fueling accusations that the show is stacking the deck. “Having one celeb with that kind of background is one thing, but having two is seen as unfair, particularly if they both ended up in the final,” a source told The Sun. The sentiment among contestants is reportedly tense, with some privately grumbling about the uneven playing field, even as they put on a brave face for the cameras.
The BBC, however, has pushed back against the criticism. A spokesperson told the Daily Mail, “We’ve been shown absolutely no evidence to suggest that this story is true, or that the anonymous quote it is based on is from anyone connected to the series.” But the official statement did little to quell the online firestorm, with fans continuing to vent their frustration. “A trained dancer! This show has lost the plot in every area,” one wrote. Another lamented, “Strictly is about journeys on learning how to dance, this is skipping all that.”
For Amber, the controversy has cast a shadow over what should have been a triumphant moment. Stepping into Strictly as a last-minute replacement was a golden opportunity, but it’s come at a cost. Her attempt to “spin” the narrative—emphasizing the differences between musical theatre and ballroom—has only made her a bigger target. Fans see her not as an underdog but as a polished performer with an unfair advantage.
As the competition heats up, Amber faces an uphill battle to win over the audience. Will her talent and emotional vulnerability be enough to turn the tide, or will the backlash define her Strictly journey? One thing is certain: in the court of public opinion, Amber Davies is fighting a lonely battle—and the world is watching.