Strictly's Amber Davies hits back at critics after struggling to win over public

Strictly's Amber Davies Responds to Critics Over Dance Background

Amber Davies, a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, has addressed the criticism surrounding her past dance experience as she struggles to win over the public. The former Love Island star, 29, joined the show at the last minute and has received praise for her performances alongside professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

Throughout the competition, the Strictly judges have supported Amber, who consistently ranked high on the leaderboard after stepping in for Dani Dyer. Despite this, she surprisingly found herself in the bottom two last month, alongside footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, following the public vote.

Controversy Over Dance Experience

Amber has faced backlash from viewers who argue she has an unfair advantage due to her previous dance training. Since her time on Love Island, she has built a career in West End theatre, appearing in productions like Legally Blonde and 9 to 5. This background has triggered harsh comments from fans throughout the competition.

Support and Understanding Within the Competition

Amber acknowledges that criticism about prior performing experience is common on the show. She is friends with Layton Williams, the 2023 runner-up and another contestant paired with Nikita, who faced similar backlash.

"It comes up every single year — there’s someone who is a performer or in that realm," Amber said.

Despite the negativity, Amber remains focused on her journey in the competition, choosing to block out the noise and continue improving her skills.

Author's Summary

Amber Davies confronts criticism over her dance past on Strictly but stays determined to prove herself, supported by judges and fellow performers dealing with similar challenges.

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The Mirror The Mirror — 2025-11-08

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