Amber Davies Love Island Star Shocks Fans by Replacing Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Amber Davies, best known for her breakout as a winner of Love Island, has stunned TV fans after being announced as the replacement for Dani Dyer on the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing. With her West End background and growing profile in the theatre world, Davies is set to bring both excitement and controversy to the BBC dance competition.

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Amber Davies Love Island Star Shocks Fans by Replacing Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Amber Davies Love Island

Amber Davies Strictly Come Dancing Journey Begins

Producers confirmed that Dani Dyer was forced to withdraw from the show after suffering an ankle injury during rehearsals. Within just 24 hours, Amber Davies was approached, signed up, and paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. Their first dance, a waltz, will mark Davies’s highly anticipated debut on the Strictly stage.

The timeline of her entry:

Timeline Event
Early September 2025 Dani Dyer confirmed for Strictly
Mid September 2025 Dyer injured during rehearsals
24 hours later Amber Davies confirmed as replacement
Late September 2025 Rehearsals begin with Nikita Kuzmin

This whirlwind casting decision has made Davies one of the most talked-about contestants of the new season.

From Amber Davies Love Island Winner to Theatre Performer

Amber Davies rose to fame in 2017 after winning the third season of Love Island alongside Kem Cetinay. Her transition from reality television to musical theatre has been impressive.

Notable highlights of her stage career include:

  • Pretty Woman

  • 9 to 5: The Musical

  • Back to the Future

  • The Great Gatsby

  • Bring It On

In addition, she has been announced as the lead in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Legally Blonde The Musical, where she will take on the iconic role of Elle Woods in 2026.

Amber Davies Theatre Career and Audience Debate

While her career has blossomed on stage, Amber Davies recently made headlines when she called out disruptive behavior during a performance of The Great Gatsby. The actress criticized an audience member for filming during the show, describing the action as “selfish.” She explained that phone reflections and screens can distract performers and affect the overall theatre experience.

Her firm stance highlighted her commitment to protecting the live performance environment and earned support from fellow theatre professionals.

Amber Davies Legally Blonde Role Adds Pressure

Alongside her Strictly commitments, Davies is preparing for her lead role in Legally Blonde The Musical. This dual workload brings both opportunity and challenge. Balancing intense dance rehearsals with the demands of stage preparation will test her stamina and focus.

The timing also places her in the spotlight as one of the busiest performers on the UK entertainment scene.

Backlash and Fairness Concerns in Strictly 2025

Amber Davies’s arrival on Strictly has not been without controversy. Some contestants and fans have voiced concerns that her professional dance and stage background could provide an unfair advantage. With both Davies and other theatre-trained contestants in the lineup, debates about fairness and balance in the competition have intensified.

Despite the criticism, the BBC maintains that the lineup is fair and that all participants bring different strengths to the stage.

Amber Davies Dancing on Ice Comparisons

Fans have drawn parallels between Amber Davies’s participation in Strictly Come Dancing and previous Love Island alumni appearing on other talent shows like Dancing on Ice. Her ability to adapt her musical theatre skills to the ballroom will be closely compared to past contestants who also had professional stage experience.

Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay: From Love Island to Separate Paths

Amber Davies first entered the public eye through her relationship with Kem Cetinay, with whom she won Love Island. While their romance ended shortly after the show, both stars have carved their own paths in British entertainment. Cetinay remains a popular TV personality, while Davies has built a reputation as a dedicated performer.

Their contrasting journeys continue to spark interest among fans, many of whom are curious about how Davies’s Strictly appearance might reignite discussions about their time together.

What Amber Davies’s Strictly Future Looks Like

With her combination of reality TV charm, theatre training, and determination, Amber Davies is entering Strictly Come Dancing as one of the most talked-about contestants of 2025. Her partnership with Nikita Kuzmin, her packed schedule, and the surrounding debates ensure that her journey will remain headline-worthy throughout the season.

Whether she silences critics or becomes the frontrunner remains to be seen, but the spotlight on Amber Davies love island star-turned-theatre performer has never been brighter.