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Who is Amber Davies? The Reality TV Star Who Became a Leading West End Performer By BBC News Culture and Entertainment Correspondent The recent, high-profile addition of Amber Davies to the cast of Strictly Come Dancing has placed the Welsh performer at the centre of a discussion regarding professional background and media celebrity. Davies, who first rose to public prominence as the winner of the ITV reality series Love Island in 2017, has since carved out a professional career in musical theatre, culminating in lead roles in major West End and touring productions. Her late inclusion in the BBC competition has sparked debate among some viewers about the extent of her existing performance training, highlighting a successful, if unconventional, career path from television celebrity to respected stage actor. Davies was drafted into the twenty-third series of Strictly Come Dancing with only 48 hours' notice, replacing fellow former reality television contestant Dani Dyer, who was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury sustained in rehearsals. The dramatic, last-minute substitution placed intense pressure on Davies and her professional partner, Nikita Kuzmin, immediately prior to the first live show of the series. The focus on her stage background quickly intensified as the competition began. Unlike many celebrities who enter the show with no prior dance experience, the 28-year-old had received three years of professional musical theatre training at the Urdang Academy in London, which includes intensive dance components. This led to online discussion questioning whether her existing skill set provided an unfair advantage over other contestants.
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Addressing the criticism, Davies has maintained that the techniques required for ballroom and Latin are distinct from those used in musical theatre. In a recent interview, she reflected on the challenge: “I do understand where the argument comes from, because yes, I can perform. But the ballroom and Latin community know that they are worlds apart from musical theatre. Even just walking left, right, left, right [during rehearsals] brought me to tears because it’s so much more complicated than you imagine. ” From Spanish Villa to the West End Stage Davies’ initial public profile was cemented by her success on Love Island. Following her win in 2017 alongside then-partner Kem Cetinay, she capitalised on her newfound visibility, securing lucrative brand collaborations with companies like Motel Rocks and Boux Avenue. This financial platform, however, became a launchpad for her original ambition: a career on the stage. Her professional theatre debut came in 2019, securing the role of Judy Bernly in the West End production of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical.
The career move was initially met with some scepticism from industry observers, but Davies quickly proved her commitment, subsequently starring in a string of major productions that demonstrated significant versatility across genres. Her subsequent stage credits include playing the lead role of Campbell in the UK tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Bring It On: The Musical, Lorraine Baines McFly in the critically acclaimed West End run of Back to the Future: The Musical, and the iconic Vivian Ward in the UK tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical. Most recently, she played Jordan Baker in the London Coliseum’s limited run of The Great Gatsby: A New Musical. “Davies’ trajectory represents a growing, modern pathway into the arts,” commented Eleanor Finch, a London-based media and culture analyst. “Where once reality television was viewed as a career endpoint or even a blocker to serious performance, figures like Davies have proven that initial mass visibility can be effectively repurposed. Her subsequent success hinges entirely on her technical training and the fact she secured major roles, not just fringe productions. The conversation has shifted from whether she belongs on the West End to what she will do next. ” The impact of her reality TV origins is twofold: it provides a unique level of name recognition that can drive initial ticket sales, while simultaneously placing her under a higher level of public and critical scrutiny than actors who follow a more traditional path.
Future Roles and Media Presence Beyond her current focus on Strictly Come Dancing, Davies has already cemented her immediate professional future on stage. It was recently announced that she will take on the challenging lead role of Elle Woods in the 2026 UK and Ireland touring production of Legally Blonde The Musical. The role, which requires significant vocal and acting stamina, is considered a major highlight in any actress’s career. In addition to acting, Davies continues to cultivate her media presence, hosting a successful podcast, Call to Stage, which focuses on the world of musical theatre and interviews with key industry figures. As Davies continues to balance the high-stakes world of live television competition with her demanding theatrical commitments, her career stands as a clear example of how performers can successfully navigate the convergence of commercial celebrity and disciplined artistry in the contemporary entertainment landscape. She represents a new generation of performers leveraging initial media exposure to achieve long-term professional credibility. The coming months will see whether her commitment to rigorous performance, as demonstrated on the West End, can translate into success on the ballroom floor.
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