Former Love Island star Amber Davies has been drafted in at the last minute to replace Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing.
The West End performer and former Love Islander, 28, will be partnered with Dani’s pro, Nikita Kumzin.
Despite the very short notice, Amber will make her Strictly Come Dancing debut in the first live show tomorrow night.
Amber said: “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.”
Who is Amber Davies?
Amber Davies found fame in the 2017 series of ITV2 dating show, Love Island. She coupled up with Kem Cetinay and together they won the show. The couple dated for four months after leaving the villa before splitting.
Before the show, Amber was already pursuing a career in acting and musical theatre. She trained at the Urdang Academy in London and later worked as a professional dancer at London nightclub, Cirque Le Soir. Amber had also sung backing vocals on ITV’s The X Factor.
Amber’s appearance on Love Island the boost her career needed and she hasn’t looked back. She has appeared in multiple West End shows, including Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby. She’s also starred in the stage production of Back to the Future: The Musical. Next year, Amber will be hitting the road with the UK tour of Legally Blonde. She has been cast as lead character, Elle Woods.
In 2019, Amber fronted her own documentary called Amber and Dolly: 9 to 5. The show followed Amber as she flew to Nashville in America to meet country icon, Dolly Parton.
Amber also hosts her own podcast series, Call To Stage. Each episode sees her interviewing stars from the world of theatre and musicals. She’s also appeared in the CBBC television drama series Almost Never, and was a contestant on ITV’s Dancing On Ice last year.
‘She will definitely be in the top three’
Following the announcement, fans were elated over the news and welcomed Amber with open arms.
“THE BEST NEWS EVER,” one excited fan wrote.
“Ok, we have a winner,” another predicted.
“She will definitely be in the top 3 if not the winner!!” a third expressed.
“I actually cannot with thissssss! So gassed for you bu. Not Nikita getting another theatre kid tehe,” Layton Williams shared.
Why did Dani Dyer quit Strictly Come Dancing?
On Tuesday evening, Dani revealed she was withdrawing from this year’s series of Strictly following an injury. The reality star said she has been left “heartbroken” by her exit.
“Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable(!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”
Dani was partnered with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin on the show. They – along with the other 14 celebrities taking part this year – had been gearing up for the first live show of the series.
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on?
There is no elimination this weekend – and no Sunday Results show either. The judges’ scores will be carried over to Week 2, when the public vote will also open for the first time.
Strictly Come Dancing is back at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday September 27, 2025.
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