Strictly Come Dancing viewers have expressed strong criticism about the show’s selection West End performer Amber Davies.
Former Love Island champion and stage performer Ms Davies has been confirmed as the replacement for Dani Dyer in this year’s BBC series.
The 28-year-old Welsh actress will partner with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin when the programme’s first live show airs tomorrow evening.
Ms Davies, who claimed victory on the ITV dating show in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay, has since established herself in musical theatre with leading roles in productions such as Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby. She has also appeared in the CBBC programme Almost Never.
The actress will perform a waltz in her debut appearance, having begun rehearsals with Mr Kuzmin following the announcement earlier today.
Responding to the announcement, which came after reality star Ms Dyer had to pull out of the show days ahead of the first live episode due to an injury, one fan posted to complaint that the programme “has lost the plot in every area” and requires “a total reset”, highlighting frustration over the inclusion of a professionally trained dancer.
“A trained dancer!!! This show has lot the plot in every area. Needs a total reset,” they posted.
A second penned: “She has so much dance experience. Whilst she will not doubt be excellent and perhaps not trained in ballroom etc how would I feel as a fellow competitor on Strictly with little or no dance having to be judged in the same way?”
Another declared: “Trained West End stars shouldn’t be allowed on the show!”
Some fans noted Davies had previously appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2024, adding to concerns about her performance background.
However, several supporters defended the casting, arguing that bringing in someone with performance skills was the only practical solution given the circumstances.
“Think someone with dance experience was the only fair way to give Nikita a partner. Wouldn’t be fair on someone with no experience to have only a few days training,” one viewer pointed out.
Another fan urged critics to show more understanding: “To everyone complaining that she’s had dance experience what would you have strictly do bring in someone with no dance experience at this short notice?
“They wouldn’t be able to learn the dance routine in time!”
One observer highlighted that Davies marks Kuzmin’s second celebrity partner from a musical theatre background, following his journey to the final with Layton Williams in 2023. “Is history about to repeat itself again?” they wondered.
On joining the BBC competition, Ms Davies stated: “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life.
Dani Dyer was forced to pull out of BBC Strictly due to an injury
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GETTY“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.”
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Nikita Kuzmin’s future in the series was uncertain before Ms Dyer’s replacement was confirmed
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BBC
Ms Davies has only just begun rehearsals with Mr Kuzmin, with the couple set to perform a Waltz duirng tomorrow’s first live show.