amber davies

The Strictly Come Dancing ‘curse’ has taken many victims, but musical theatre contestant Amber Davies is confident that she and Nikita will not be a part of it

For years, the Strictly Come Dancing ‘curse’ has haunted the ballroom, blamed for break-ups, busted engagements, and headline-making scandals. But while the dancefloor has seen its fair share of heartbreak, Amber Davies is confident she won’t be a victim of the ‘curse’.

Musical theatre and former Love Island star Amber is currently paired up with professional dancer and one of Strictly’s favourites, Nikita Kuzmin. Amber, 29, has revealed that she is good friends with Nikita’s partner, model Lauren Jaine, and has also introduced her boyfriend Ben Joyce to Nikita and Lauren.

Amber said: “I’ve met Nikita’s girlfriend. I love her, she is so supportive, so easy-going. She met Ben and my sister too. It was lovely.”

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Lauren has also hit back at viewers who claimed that they wanted Amber and Nikita to succumb to the curse and said: “Please be respectful to the real-life partners and let them have a good experience of the show too.”

Amber and Nikita appear to be going from strength to strength in the competition and scored a whopping 35 for their American Smooth. They danced to the track Sixteen Going on Seventeen from The Sound of Music, which put them second on the leaderboard.

A source has since revealed that Amber is going to be taking the competition ‘one week at a time’ and that she ‘isn’t complacent’. The source also gave an insight into Amber’s thoughts on the ‘Strictly curse’.

They said to The Sun: “As for the curse, she’s madly in love with Ben and he is 100 per cent supportive of her. They are both performers and know how to block out the noise. They have zero doubt the curse won’t touch them. Amber and Lauren get on really well. They swapped numbers early on.”

Amber has been sharing some behind-the-scenes footage on her social media and revealed that her beau Ben has been watching her videos every day.

She said in a TikTok live video: “He is always like ‘let me see the tapes from today’. Sometimes Ben will make me bits and bobs for lunch. Contestants can stay in hotels but I don’t before a live show. I want to be in my own bed with my dog and my boyfriend.”

Amber didn’t even know she was going to be on Strictly until 48 hours before her first dance when she was whisked into the cast of the BBC show as a replacement for fellow Love Island winner Dani Dyer, who had sustained an injury in rehearsals before the first live show.

Just days before she was announced as Dani’s replacement, it was revealed that she will be taking on the tough role of Elle Woods, the part originally made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 classic, in a new UK tour of Legally Blonde.

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Dani Dyer has opened up on how she feels watching fellow Love Island alumni Amber Davies join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in her place following injury

Dani Dyer has admitted she found the first live Strictly Come Dancing show hard to watch at the weekend. The former Love Island star, 29, had been excited to be a part of the hit BBC contest, but injury forced her to quit in the week running up to the series starting.

Now, while chatting with her dad Danny Dyer on their Live and Let Dyers podcast, the reality TV star admitted she would love to go back next series. “My door is open,” she confessed. “If they want their door to be open then I’ll walk through their door.”

And talking about Amber Davies replacing her, she admitted she feels she will be amazing with Nikita Guzman. “Watching the launch show, they’re all so lovely,” she said before her dad asked how she felt.

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“That was really hard,” she confessed. “Obviously seeing them, but obviously Amber’s come in and they’re going to be amazing together.

“I’m glad that Nikita’s actually got a partner because there was a chance he wouldn’t get a partner. It was just such a quick turnaround.”

She added: “Listen, I wish everyone the best, ” before confessing her love for Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison. “I’m so glad I met Vicky,” she gushed.

Dani also revealed during the chat that she felt she may have done something wrong in the world after injuring herself. It left her requiring the advice of her therapist for the first time since she met her husband Jarrod Bowen.

“He just put things into perspective for me,” she candidly revealed.

Speaking of how the injury occurred, dad Danny labelled it a “freak f***ing accident”. Dani then added: “Basically I fell and rolled my ankle and initially I heard a noise but I thought, ‘I think it’ll be fine’, but I came home on the weekend and iced it all, and they sent me for the MRI and it came back that there was a hairline fracture on my ankle, but it was my ligaments.”

“They said to me, the physio, if you have a grade one sprain, we can work with a grade one sprain, but one side of my ankle had a grade two sprain and the other side had a grade one.

“We went and got a second opinion, see the doctor, and I was like ‘What can we do? Physically do? Can you jab it, there’s got to be something’.”

But she admitted the Strictly bosses pulled the plug on her time, admitting they told her it wasn’t worth it. They explained she would be “in so much pain” if she was to continue.

Now, with Amber going in as one of the favourites, fans have been wondering if her call-up is fair due to her West End and dancing background.

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Strictly Come Dancing 2025 fans were quick to notice Dani Dyer was still in the opening titles for the BBC series’ launch show on Saturday, but Amber Davies was missing

Fans called it “awkward” as Strictly Come Dancing‘s opening titles left out one star, hours after they replaced Dani Dyer.

Following the sad news this week that Love Island‘s Dani had to pull out of the series due to an injury, the star still appeared in the series’ opening credits. But someone noticeably missing was her replacement, fellow Love Island star Amber Davies.

Amber was confirmed to be taking on the show just days before the live launch, but fans noticed she did not appear with her co-stars in the titles – while she was there for the live show. Taking to X, fans shared their reaction to the “awkward” mishap.

One fan said: “Dani Dyer still on the opening credits and no Amber Davies… slightly awkward.” Another agreed: “Okay so they didn’t have time to put Amber in the titles yet.”

A third fan said: “Didn’t manage to edit the titles in time!” Another said: “Dani Dyer in the titles still.”

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It comes after the news Dani had to pull out of the show days before the first live episode. She shared a sweet message for her Strictly co-stars ahead of Saturday’s episode after being forced to leave the show earlier this week due to an injury.

It was announced on Tuesday that the 29-year-old would no longer be able to compete on the show after a fall during rehearsals led to her fracturing her ankle. However, despite not being able to take part, Dani has sent a message of support to her co-stars.

Taking to her Instagram stories, the mum-of-three wrote: “Good luck to all the gorgeous cast starting there Strictly journey tonight. Can’t wait to watch you all, so proud & know how hard you’ve all been working.. see you all soon.”

The official Strictly Come Dancing Instagram page revealed the sad news of Dani’s exit as they captioned it: “Unfortunately due to an injury Dani Dyer is no longer able to compete in #Strictly 2025. She’ll be sorely missed and we wish her a speedy recovery.”

Dani said: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up so badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.

“Apparently doing the Quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance, so I’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 Dyer has quit Strictly Come Dancing days before the live shows after injuring her ankle in training.

Dani’s exit dropped just as the cast was putting the final polish on their first live dances.

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She had taken part in the launch show — filmed ahead of transmission — where her partnership with Nikita was revealed to viewers.

The plan was to hit the floor this weekend, but the fracture means she won’t make it to that first Saturday night.

It’s a tough blow for Dani and for Nikita, who was ready to kick off the series with a crowd-pleasing ballroom number.

Here’s what happened and where things stand with a replacement.

Why has Dani Dyer pulled out of Strictly 2025?

Dani suffered a nasty ankle injury during rehearsals and has been forced to withdraw on medical advice.

She fell during a Friday training session, her foot ballooned over the weekend, and a hospital scan confirmed a fracture, leaving doctors with no choice but to bench her for the series.

The timing is brutal, coming just days before the first live show after she’d already filmed the pre-recorded launch where her pro partner was revealed.

In an emotional update to fans, Dani explained that continuing would risk exacerbating the injury.

She’d been gearing up for a fast ballroom routine in week one, but admitted taking to the floor with a fracture simply wasn’t possible.

The Love Island winner said she was gutted to walk away so close to the live shows after throwing herself into training.

What did Dani say about quitting?

The TV favourite struggled to hold back tears as she confirmed her exit, calling it “heartbreaking” to bow out before she’d had the chance to perform live.

She also thanked viewers for their support and said she’d be cheering the remaining couples on from the sofa while she focused on healing up.

Dani was particularly disappointed not to get her shot with pro partner Nikita Kuzmin after their pairing was unveiled on the launch show, saying she’d hoped to make her mark on the ballroom this year.

What has Nikita Kuzmin said — and could Dani return?

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Nikita broke his silence with a heartfelt message to fans and to Dani, praising her effort in the training room and saying he was proud of how hard she’d worked before the injury struck.

He admitted he was “gutted” to lose his celebrity partner so close to week one, and hinted he’d love the chance to dance with Dani in the future when she’s fit again.

In a further update, Nikita suggested the door isn’t closed on Dani appearing down the line in some capacity — whether that’s a studio visit later in the run or even a comeback in a future series once she’s fully recovered.

Is Dani Dyer being replaced?

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The BBC has confirmed Amber Davies is stepping into the Strictly 2025 line-up after Dani Dyer’s shock withdrawal with a fractured ankle.

Amber won Love Island in 2017 and has since established a successful stage career, starring in West End hits such as 9 to 5: The Musical and Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Thrown straight in at the deep end, Amber will make her Strictly debut in the first live show on Saturday, September 27.

She and Nikita are set to perform a Waltz as they bid to get their scores on the board and settle those first-night nerves.

What this means for week one

The live show will go ahead with a new name slotted into the line-up if producers can finalise the replacement in time.

The incoming celebrity will need to fast-track rehearsals to match the rest of the cast, and their debut dance is likely to be a classic ballroom routine that can be polished quickly in the studio.

Expect a supportive welcome from the judges and some leeway from viewers as the new pairing finds its footing under pressure.

When is Strictly 2025 on?

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The pre-recorded launch has already aired, revealing the celebrity-pro pairings and giving fans a first look at the glamour.

The live shows start this Saturday night on BBC One, with catch-up available on BBC iPlayer shortly after transmission.

Week one traditionally has no elimination, so viewers will get to see every couple — including the late replacement — take to the floor before the first vote opens the following week.

Love Island’s Amber Davies’ boyfriend Ben Joyce took to social media to reveal his thoughts on the busy star replacing Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend

Former Love Island star Amber Davies has been announced as Dani Dyer’s replacement on Strictly Come Dancing after the mum of three was forced to pull out of the BBC show.

The former reality TV star and podcast host confirmed news that she has bowed out of the BBC dance show after fracturing her ankle while rehearsing with professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin.

Now, Amber is set to take the dancefloor by storm and will be performing alongside Nikita this weekend. And her boyfriend Ben Joyce had a few choice words regarding her inclusion on this year’s celebrity line-up.

Taking to Instagram, the West-End star who met Amber in 2022, posted an image of the show’s glitterball. He captioned the post saying: “Does she ever stop?!! No she doesn’t!!” Amber has also appeared on Dancing On Ice.

Speaking of her latest venture, 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.”

She continued: “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.”

Earlier this week it was speculated that Waterloo Road star Tillie Armatey was in talks with BBC bosses in order to donne the legendary sequined dresses and strut her stuff on the dancefloor.

The rumour mill gathered even more momentum after she gave an ambiguous answer when asked to confirm speculation.

Attending the SHEIN pop up event earlier this week, the actress said: “It’s all sequins, sparkles and speculation at the moment but the Christmas special was very special for me. I had the best time.”

She added: “I would never say no to strictly. I will 100% clear my diary always, but I’m a great believer in leaving it to the universe and obviously the main priority is Dani having a speedy recovery!”

Tillie had previously been part of the show’s Christmas special but lost out on the glitterball trophy to former EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.

Dani was forced to confirm her departure from the show with a brief video post on social media. She recently said: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.”

She added: “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.”

Sarah James, Executive Producer for BBC Studios said: “Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start. Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she’s no longer able to compete in this year’s series. We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.”

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