Amber Davies Love Island Star Shocks Fans With Strictly Come Dancing Replacement Role and New West End Ambitions

Amber Davies, the 2017 Love Island winner, is back in the headlines with a surprise turn on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and an exciting theatre career that continues to grow. The reality TV star turned stage performer has stepped in at the last moment to replace Dani Dyer on the hit dance competition, while also preparing for a major role in the upcoming Legally Blonde musical tour.

Amber Davies Love Island Journey to Strictly Come Dancing

Amber Davies first rose to fame on Love Island in 2017, where she won alongside Kem Cetinay. Since then, her career has transformed from reality TV to respected stage performer. This week, the BBC confirmed she would replace Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing after Dyer was sidelined by a fractured ankle.

Davies will partner with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin and is set to make her ballroom debut with a Waltz during the show’s live premiere. She expressed excitement about joining the lineup, stating that appearing on Strictly has been a dream since childhood.

Strictly Partnership Details

From Reality Star to West End: Amber Davies’s Theatre Career

While many Love Island alumni drift from public attention, Amber Davies has built an impressive stage career. She has starred in:

• Pretty Woman: The Musical

• Bring It On: The Musical

• Back to the Future: The Musical

• 9 to 5: The Musical

• The Great Gatsby

The highlight of her next chapter is her lead role as Elle Woods in the 2026 UK and Ireland tour of Legally Blonde The Musical. This marks another milestone for Davies as she cements her reputation as a versatile theatre performer.

Dani Dyer Exit Opens Door for Davies

The sudden exit of Dani Dyer from Strictly Come Dancing created a dramatic twist before the season even began. Her fractured ankle forced producers to scramble for a replacement, and Amber Davies was chosen just hours before the live launch.

This turn of events has heightened interest in Davies’s debut, as fans speculate whether her performance background will give her a competitive edge on the dancefloor.

Amber Davies Responds to West End Controversy

In addition to her television comeback, Davies recently made headlines by calling out disruptive audience behavior during a performance of The Great Gatsby. She criticized a theatregoer for filming with a phone during the show, saying such actions are distracting and disrespectful to performers and audiences alike.

Her comments sparked a wider debate about theatre etiquette, reinforcing her image as someone deeply committed to her craft beyond the reality TV spotlight.

Legally Blonde Musical and Future Projects

With her role in Legally Blonde The Musical secured, Amber Davies has a busy schedule ahead. Balancing the intensity of Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals with preparations for the 2026 tour shows her determination to thrive in both television and theatre.

This dual career path highlights her ability to move seamlessly between mainstream entertainment and live stage performance, a transition few Love Island contestants have managed successfully.

Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay: Then and Now

Fans of Love Island still remember the chemistry between Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay that won them the series. While the pair have since gone separate ways, their names remain linked in the public’s memory. Davies’s success in musical theatre and television contrasts with Cetinay’s focus on presenting and business ventures, showing how differently the islanders’ careers can evolve.

Strictly Expectations with Nikita Kuzmin

Davies’s pairing with Nikita Kuzmin is already being discussed as one of the most intriguing of the season. With her theatre background, she may bring natural stage presence, but ballroom dance requires precision and technique that differ from musical theatre choreography.

The challenge lies in adapting quickly under high pressure, especially with limited rehearsal time compared to her competitors. Still, her experience with live audiences could help her stand out.

What Amber Davies Means for Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Amber Davies joining Strictly Come Dancing adds drama, excitement, and star power. As the season unfolds, her ability to juggle her blossoming West End career with the demands of the show will be closely followed by fans. Whether she conquers the ballroom floor or not, her return to mainstream television has already reignited interest in one of Love Island’s most successful alumni.