Former "Love Island UK" winner Amber Davies found herself stepping in as a last-minute substitute for the BBC’s "Strictly Come Dancing," kicking off rehearsals just a single day before the show’s highly anticipated premiere. “Guys, today could go either way. I might get a call telling me, ‘You’re going to be on Strictly Come Dancing this Saturday,’” Davies, 28, shared in a TikTok video posted on Thursday, September 26. “Or I might be heading to Swansea to celebrate my niece’s first birthday—so either way, it’s a win! What the heck, right?”
Davies, who claimed victory in Season 3 of "Love Island UK" alongside her then-partner Kem Cetinay, received a phone call from the show’s production team just eight hours after her playful forecast. “Well, I’m doing it,” she declared in a follow-up clip on her TikTok. “Please be kind, and vote for me if you can. I’m doing this for Dani Dyer.”
Dyer, 29, was originally slated to be part of the "Strictly" lineup—the British counterpart to "Dancing With the Stars." She was set to dance with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin but suffered a setback when she broke her ankle ahead of the Saturday, September 27, premiere. “I took a tumble during rehearsals on Friday and landed awkwardly,” Dyer, who won Season 4 of "Love Island UK" with her then-boyfriend Jack Fincham, explained in an Instagram post earlier in the week. “At first, I thought I’d just rolled my foot, but it ballooned up over the weekend. After an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I’ve fractured my ankle.”
Dyer went on, “Apparently, attempting the quickstep on a fractured ankle isn’t recommended, and the doctors have forbidden me from dancing. So, I’ve had to withdraw from the show. Saying I’m heartbroken is an understatement. I’m going to miss dancing with Nikita so much, but I’ll be watching closely and cheering on all the couples.”
A spokesperson for the show addressed Dyer’s departure in a separate statement. “Dani has brought so much passion, joy, and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to a sensational start,” wrote Sarah James, executive producer for BBC Studios, in a statement. “Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she won’t be competing this year. We send her all our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. We truly hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.”
Kuzmin, 27, began rehearsing with Davies on Friday, September 26. The new duo is set to perform a waltz to Adele’s “When We Were Young” during Saturday’s live broadcast. Meanwhile, Dyer cheered on the last-minute pairing—and their fellow contestants—from home. “Good luck to all the stunning cast members embarking on their Strictly journey tonight,” Dyer shared via her Instagram Stories late Friday evening. “Can’t wait to watch you all! So proud and know how hard you’ve all been working. See you soon.”
Beyond her "Love Island UK" fame, Davies has conquered the West End stage, performing in professional productions of "9 to 5," "Back to the Future," "Pretty Woman," and "The Great Gatsby" in London. Recently, Davies landed the leading role of Elle Woods in the upcoming touring production of "Legally Blonde the Musical."
