Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies has admitted she “cried” after escaping elimination in the latest dance-off.
Amber, 29, and her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, 27, found themselves in the bottom two in last night’s results show.
This meant the West End performer and Nikita had to go head-to-head with football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and his pro, Lauren Oakley.
The judges unanimously voted to save Amber and Nikita, meaning Jimmy and Lauren were sent home.
Amber has now spoken out and told fans her eczema has flared due to the ‘stressful’ situation. She also says she can’t stop thinking about Jimmy “and his kids” now he is out of the BBC competition.
Strictly Come Dancing: Amber ‘cries’ at dance-off
Taking to Instagram with visibly red eyes, Amber said she was “petrified” to open the social media app following Sunday’s Results show, which is pre-recorded after Saturday night’s live show.
“I feel so grateful to everybody who’s messaged me,” she told fans. “It’s a whole experience being in the dance-off. I mean, I watched the show tonight and I felt every single emotion that I felt.
“I was crying because I just love Jimmy so much. The humanity side of it… I know how much Jimmy loves Strictly and I was thinking about his kids and his wife and I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh. I can’t believe these are the cards we’ve been dealt with’.”
She added: “Lauren Oakley, I adore that woman so much. But it’s a show and just thank you really. Thank you for your kind and lovely messages. We go again tomorrow.”
Amber concluded: “The last thing I’m going to say is… also, don’t mind my eczema. If I get put in a stressful situation or I’m stressed, my eczema just flares up. So filming’s going to be interesting tomorrow.
“I just ask, please, please vote for me and Nikita next week. If you find a free vote, send it our way because we definitely need it.”
Leyton Williams supports Amber
Amber’s friend, fellow West End star Leyton Williams, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. He was also partnered with Nikita on the show.
Like Amber, Leyton received criticism at the time for his professional performing arts experience. Leyton has now spoken out and urged his and Amber’s fellow professionals in the industry to rally behind her and vote.
In his own Instagram message, Leyton said: “This is a little check in for the West End girls, the theatre girls. We need to get behind each other and we need to be supporting our girl Amber and Nikita on Strictly.
“Just because they’re up in the leaderboard does not mean they can’t be in the bottom two. There was too much of a close call. So we need to rise up. Alright? Good.”
Where did Amber finish on the Strictly leaderboard?
Amber and Nikita performed a Cha-cha-cha in Saturday night’s Icons Week live show. Amber took on Ariana Grande and they danced to the American pop star’s hit, Break Free.
The pair scored a total of 33 points from judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse. This placed them in second place on the leaderboard.
Amber and Nikita were only pipped to the top of the leaderboard by Lewis Cope and his dance partner, Katya Jones. They scored just one more point, finishing the night with 34.
Jimmy and Lauren, meanwhile, danced an American Smooth and scored 30. They ended Saturday night in fifth place.
This weekend, Amber, Nikita and remaining couples will be taking to the ballroom for Halloween night. They will all be doing spooky-inspired routines for the show.
But will Amber manage to escape the next dance-off? Only time will tell.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing Icons Week: Vicky wowed, Ellie impressed and Jimmy said goodbye
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