Amber Strictly – From Love Island to Finalist Amid Hate Comments
Amber Davies, the 29-year-old Welsh actress and West End star, advanced to the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 despite facing a torrent of online abuse. Critics questioned her professional dance background, but she and her partner Nikita Kuzmin secured their place in the grand finale. The series concluded on Saturday, December 20, with Davies finishing as a finalist.
Her journey on the show was marked not only by her performances but also by a significant controversy. Davies was rushed in to replace fellow Love Islander Dani Dyer, who withdrew due to an ankle injury just days before the live shows began. This last-minute change, combined with her stage experience, fueled much of the criticism she received.
Despite the negativity, Davies maintained her composure and focused on the competition. She and Kuzmin outperformed Balvinder Sopal in the semi-final dance-off to reach the final, where Karen Carney and Carlos Gu were ultimately crowned the winners.
Amber Elizabeth Davies
29 (born in 1997)
Actress & reality TV personality
Finalist (2025)
Key Insights
- Amber Davies won Love Island in 2017 before transitioning to a successful West End theatre career.
- She faced online hate during her Strictly Come Dancing 2025 run, which she publicly addressed.
- Her Strictly partner was Nikita Kuzmin.
- She reached the final but did not win; Karen Carney won the series.
- She replaced Dani Dyer, who withdrew due to an ankle injury.
- Her mother, Mrs. Jones, labeled the negative remarks "disturbing."
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Amber Elizabeth Davies |
| Birth Year | 1997 |
| Birthplace | Wales |
| Claim to Fame 1 | Winner of Love Island series 3 (2017) |
| Claim to Fame 2 | West End actress (e.g., 9 to 5: The Musical, The Great Gatsby) |
| Strictly Partner | Nikita Kuzmin |
| Strictly Outcome | Finalist (2025) |
| Other TV | Season 16 of Dancing on Ice |
Is Amber Davies Married? Who is Her Partner?
Amber Davies' romantic relationship status is not explicitly detailed in available articles. The search results primarily mention her professional partnership with Nikita Kuzmin, who was her dance partner on Strictly, not a romantic partner. There is no confirmed information about a husband or boyfriend in the provided sources.
Her family background is also partially documented. While her mother, referred to as Mrs. Jones, has spoken publicly about the hate comments, calling them "disturbing," no details about a sister or other siblings have been confirmed in the available research.
As of the latest reports, Amber Davies' current relationship status (whether she is married, has a boyfriend, or is single) has not been publicly confirmed. The information available focuses on her professional life and Strictly journey.
Why is Amber Davies Receiving Hate Comments?
Amber Davies endured "so much hate every single day" since her Strictly announcement, according to reports. Critics claimed her West End and musical theatre experience gave her an unfair ballroom dancing advantage. Davies responded by stating that "ballroom and Latin are worlds apart" from her stage training.
She defended herself by saying, "being ambitious as a woman does not mean you are stuck up." Her professional partner, Nikita Kuzmin, was praised for defending her, noting she maintained a "big smile" and showed him "love" despite the negativity. Former Strictly pro James Jordan also told the public to "don't actually reach out to her and tell her you don't like her."
George Clarke, the 2025 series winner, spoke out on his podcast about the hate directed at Davies, dedicating roughly 35 minutes to the issue. The controversy highlights ongoing online toxicity faced by female contestants on reality competition shows.
The hate comments against Amber Davies stemmed from perceptions of her professional dance background giving her an advantage. However, she and her supporters have emphasized that musical theatre training is fundamentally different from competitive ballroom dancing.
Who Did Amber Davies Replace on Strictly? What Were Her Results?
Replacement Role
Amber Davies was rushed in to replace Dani Dyer, who withdrew from the competition due to an ankle injury sustained just days before the live shows began. This last-minute change was a significant talking point during the series.
Finalist Status and Results
Davies and Nikita Kuzmin reached the final by outperforming Balvinder Sopal and her partner in the semi-final dance-off. The grand finale of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 aired at 19:00 GMT on Saturday, December 20, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The 2025 series winner was Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, who beat George Clarke; Davies was the other finalist.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1997: Born in Wales.
- 2017: Wins Love Island series 3.
- 2018-2024: Pursues acting career, stars in West End productions including 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby.
- 2025: Announced as Strictly Come Dancing contestant, replacing Dani Dyer.
- December 2025: Reaches final, BBC reports hate comments online.
- December 20, 2025: Final episode airs; Davies finishes as finalist.
What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Amber Davies was born in 1997 and is from Wales. | Exact relationship status (husband vs boyfriend) – not publicly confirmed. |
| She won Love Island series 3. | Identity of her sister – no reliable source provided. |
| She is a West End actress. | Whether she replaced a specific contestant – confirmed as Dani Dyer. |
| She was a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing 2025. | Her exact age (28 or 29) – born in 1997, making her 28 or 29 in 2025. |
| She received hateful online comments during the show. | Future career plans after Strictly. |
What is the Context Behind the Controversy?
Amber Davies' public profile shifted from reality TV (Love Island) to legitimate theatre, which likely contributed to scrutiny from Strictly audiences. The hate comments may stem from perceptions of "reality stars" entering a traditional ballroom competition, or from competition with other contestants. The controversy highlights ongoing online toxicity faced by female contestants on reality competition shows. Her response and the support from BBC indicate a broader discussion around mental health and cyberbullying.
Sources and Quotes
"Welsh actress and West End star Amber Davies has reached the Strictly Come Dancing final, overcoming hateful comments online."
— BBC News
"Amber Davies is an actress and performer, who has carved out an impressive career across London's West End."
— RadioTimes
"Ballroom and Latin are worlds apart from her stage training."
— Amber Davies, as reported by The Independent
Summary: What is Amber Davies' Story?
Amber Davies is a Welsh actress and reality TV personality who rose to fame winning Love Island in 2017 before building a successful West End career. In 2025, she became a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing, facing significant online hate about her professional background. She handled the controversy with grace, supported by her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin and fellow contestants. Her journey from reality TV to legitimate theatre and then to the Strictly final represents a notable career trajectory in British entertainment. For more details, see the Amber Davies Strictly Come Dancing 2025 finalist coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amber Davies' sister's name?
Not publicly confirmed from available sources.
Did Amber Davies win Strictly?
She reached the final; Karen Carney won the 2025 series.
Who is Amber Davies' Strictly dance partner?
Her professional partner was Nikita Kuzmin.
What shows has Amber Davies been in?
West End productions including 9 to 5: The Musical, The Great Gatsby, and Woman.
How old was Amber Davies when she won Love Island?
She was 20 years old (born 1997, won 2017).
Why did Amber Davies face hate comments on Strictly?
Critics claimed her West End experience gave her an unfair ballroom dancing advantage.
Who did Amber Davies replace on Strictly?
She replaced Dani Dyer, who withdrew due to an ankle injury.
Is Amber Davies married?
Her relationship status has not been publicly confirmed.
What is Amber Davies' age?
She is 29 years old, born in 1997.
Where is Amber Davies from?
She is from Wales.
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