Amber Davies Shines on Strictly – Time to Drop the West End Debate

Published: 10 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

Amber Davies has proven herself to be one of the brightest stars on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, yet from the very beginning, she’s found herself at the centre of a tiresome debate. Despite dazzling performances and strong judges’ scores, much of the public conversation surrounding her has focused not on her dancing, but on her background in musical theatre—a detail that some viewers seem unable to let go of.

It’s an all-too-familiar pattern on Strictly. Each year, one or two contestants are accused of having an unfair advantage simply because they’ve had some prior experience in performance. In Davies’s case, her training at the Urdang Academy and her successful career in the West End have become talking points for critics who argue she has an edge over her competitors. Yet to many others, including her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, these claims are both tired and misplaced.

Davies, who rose to fame after winning Love Island in 2017, has gone on to carve out an impressive stage career, appearing in major productions such as 9 to 5: The Musical and Back to the Future. While her theatre work demands rhythm, characterisation, and stamina, she has been quick to clarify that musical theatre and ballroom are completely different disciplines. “It comes up every single year that there’s someone who is a performer, or in that realm,” she told reporters earlier this week. “I am doing my very best not to look and listen to anything. I’m blocking out that noise and just being present in the moment.”

It’s a wise approach. Social media has been awash with comments questioning whether she should be on the show at all, yet anyone watching her performances can see she’s learning, adapting, and giving everything to each routine. There’s a world of difference between performing a choreographed number on stage and mastering the intricate footwork, technique, and posture required in ballroom and Latin dances.

Despite her professional background, Davies began Strictly as a novice in these specific styles. What sets her apart is her ability to bring emotion, storytelling, and sheer energy to each number—a quality that makes her performances both exciting and unpredictable. In many ways, that’s exactly what the show needs: someone who can entertain while also pushing boundaries and raising the bar.

Her partnership with Nikita Kuzmin has been one of the most dynamic of the season. Together, they’ve produced routines that are both technically challenging and visually striking. Last Saturday’s salsa was a prime example—a relentless, high-energy routine filled with lifts, spins, and daring choreography. Davies executed each move with confidence and flair, leading judge Motsi Mabuse to admit she herself “would never dream of doing anything like that.”

Their performance earned a score of 38 from the judges, a result that most viewers felt was thoroughly deserved. Many even argued it should have been higher. Yet despite consistently strong performances, Davies has already faced a dance-off, a reminder that public perception and voting patterns on Strictly can be unpredictable.

It’s worth remembering that the show thrives on variety. Without contestants like Davies—those with stage experience and a natural sense of rhythm—the early weeks would lack sparkle. Each season needs its entertainers just as much as its underdog learners. The so-called “ringers” bring the wow moments that make the live shows unmissable, while the less experienced contestants bring heartwarming progress and surprise upsets. Together, they create the balance that makes Strictly Come Dancing one of the most beloved TV shows in Britain.

There’s also something admirable about how Davies has handled the criticism. Instead of letting negativity get to her, she’s stayed focused on the joy of performing and improving each week. Her composure and professionalism reflect both her theatre training and her resilience—a rare quality in the often cutthroat world of celebrity reality TV.

Davies’s story is also one of reinvention. From reality star to respected performer, she’s demonstrated that talent, hard work, and perseverance can transcend labels. Her presence on Strictly reminds audiences that people can grow, evolve, and surprise even their harshest critics.

Strictly’s producers, too, deserve credit for recognising that talent comes in many forms. Casting someone like Amber Davies brings not just skill but star power—a performer who can deliver the kind of standout routines that keep viewers talking all week. The show’s success depends as much on entertainment value as it does on fairness, and Davies offers both in abundance.

As the competition moves into its later stages, it’s clear that Davies has what it takes to go the distance. Her connection with Kuzmin continues to strengthen, and each performance seems to build on the last. The constant chatter about her background feels increasingly irrelevant in the face of such undeniable growth and charisma.

Perhaps it’s time to put the West End debate to rest. Performing arts experience doesn’t guarantee success on Strictly—it simply provides a foundation for expression. Every contestant, whether trained or not, faces the same challenge: to deliver under pressure, week after week, on live television.

Amber Davies has done more than that. She’s entertained, inspired, and proven herself to be a standout performer in one of Britain’s most beloved shows. Whether or not she lifts the glitterball trophy, she’s already earned her place as one of this season’s most memorable contestants.