Strictly Come Dancing’s controversial last-minute replacement, Amber Davies, has been turned down by the show’s bosses twice before – for being too good at dancing.
As the row over her casting grows, The Mail on Sunday can reveal the West End star had previously met with BBC bosses only to be told she had too much dancing experience.
Executives were ‘concerned’ as they wanted celebrities who would ‘learn to dance in front of the viewers’ eyes’ rather than sign stars who were already trained.
Ms Davies, 28, shot to fame on ITV‘s Love Island in 2017, when she told viewers she was a dancer.
She graduated from The Urdang Academy, a London performing arts college, with a professional diploma in musical theatre.
And by the time of the last BBC meeting, in 2021, she had spent almost all of 2019 in London’s West End, playing Judy Bernly in 9 To 5: The Musical.
She was last week unveiled as a last-minute addition to the Strictly line-up – to dance with professional Nikita Kuzmin – after contestant Dani Dyer, 29, was forced to pull out with a fractured ankle.
But Strictly bosses now think her dancing experience could be an advantage because they needed someone ‘ballroom ready’ for last night’s live show. Ms Davies, who was a contestant on ITV’s Dancing On Ice last year, is now favourite to pick up the glitterball.
Amber Davies looked nervous as she made her Strictly Come Dancing debut with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin on Saturday night’s live show
Two years after winning Love Island, Amber began her rebrand and pursued a career as a stage actress (pictured in The Great Gatsby)
A Strictly insider said: ‘There have been talks with Amber twice before but the view was that she was too experienced and that wasn’t what the show is about.
‘Bosses know viewers enjoy watching a Strictly journey.
‘There would have been no journey with Amber because she was so amazing.’
Her casting echoes the row when another musical theatre star, Layton Williams, came runner-up in 2023. But a Strictly spokesman said the current team had no record of Ms Davies previously being rejected.
And bosses fight back after two pros complain about missing out
By Dolly Busby, Showbusiness Correspondent
They are usually its smiling stars, radiating feel-good vibes across the BBC’s flagship show.
But Strictly Come Dancing bosses are ‘tired and fed up’ at two of its professional dancers complaining about not being paired with a celebrity.
A source close to the show told The Mail on Sunday: ‘What do they expect? They are never promised a partner, and they know that when they sign up.
‘It’s very irritating that they think it’s OK to come out and have a go at the show, which they know will only cause more controversy.
‘Both of the women had partners last year, so it’s not like there is anything sinister going on.’
It comes after Cypriot dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, who partnered the disgraced former EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick last year, told her Instagram followers: ‘I don’t have a partner on Strictly this year.
‘To those of you asking how I am, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gutted, but I think that’s a normal feeling to have.
‘Last year was my first year with a partner, and it made me realise just how much I enjoy the process.
‘I think it’s the most beautiful and rewarding part of the show, and I also feel like last year was the first time you all started to get to know me better as well.’
Also breaking ranks was the professional dancer, Nancy Xu, 34, who last Tuesday shared her ‘disappointment’ at being ‘left out’ after she had been partnered most years by the likes of Shayne Ward, Will Mellor and Les Dennis.
She said: ‘It does upset me and I do feel disappointed. Coming from China and arriving in this country, all I wanted is to achieve my dream.’
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘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.’
