As Strictly Come Dancing sashays into its third week, the glittering ballroom is already clouded with tension, and a body language expert has dropped a bombshell: one couple’s chemistry is more fizzle than sizzle. Amber Davies, the late arrival to the dancefloor, and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin are reportedly locked in a silent power struggle that could derail their quest for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Body language guru Judi James, speaking to Paddy Power Games, has peeled back the curtain on the duo’s dynamic, revealing cracks in their partnership that could spell disaster. “These two showed signs of an early potential rift or power-struggle,” Judi disclosed, pointing to a stark contrast between Amber’s on-stage demeanor and her rehearsal energy. On the Strictly stage, Amber appeared as a bundle of nerves, scrunching her shoulders, covering her lips, and flashing a shy, modest smile. But behind the scenes? “In rehearsals, we saw her fizzing with energy and ideas,” Judi noted, suggesting Amber’s bold confidence might be rubbing Nikita the wrong way.
Nikita, a seasoned pro, seems less than thrilled with his partner’s approach. Judi highlighted his telling comment during training: “‘She’s doing really well,’ he said, but with a rising intonation that sounded more like a question than a compliment.” His follow-up remark, “She’s trying to run before she can walk,” hinted at frustration, accompanied by a gesture of pinching his forehead—a universal sign of exasperation. Could Amber’s enthusiasm be pushing Nikita to the edge?
The tension didn’t stop there. After their performance, it was Amber who initiated a high-five, a move Judi flagged as a sign of “over-confidence.” Typically, it’s the professional dancer who leads the celebratory gestures, reassuring their celebrity partner. But Amber’s bold move flipped the script, leaving Nikita visibly unimpressed. When the judges offered constructive criticism, Nikita’s emphatic nodding suggested he agreed with their critiques rather than defending his partner—a subtle but telling betrayal in the high-stakes world of Strictly.
The drama escalated during their post-dance debrief with host Claudia Winkleman. Amber’s cryptic comment about training being “interesting” raised eyebrows, hinting at behind-the-scenes friction. Nikita’s response? A theatrical head-turn to the audience, complete with exaggerated face-pulling and a sulky, jutting lip—a silent mime of discontent. His blunt advice to Amber in front of the judges, “Let’s walk before you run,” was met with a smile from Amber that “dropped like a brick,” according to Judi.
Even on the results balcony, the rift was palpable. Nikita stood with a hand on his hip, creating a physical barrier between himself and Amber. In a telling moment, he chose to place his hands on fellow contestant Ross’s shoulders rather than offering Amber a supportive hug. Meanwhile, Amber didn’t hold back, playfully jabbing at Nikita’s singing with a quip: “Where do we start?” Her loud comfort in critiquing her partner spoke volumes about their strained dynamic.
Despite the tension, Judi believes Amber and Nikita have the talent to go all the way. “They could win the show,” she predicted, but with a caveat: their success hinges on Amber dialing back her assertiveness and absorbing Nikita’s coaching like “human blotting paper.” If Amber continues to push forward with her own ideas, their partnership could implode, turning their Strictly journey into a battle rather than a dance.