Amber Davies joins Strictly Come Dancing as Dani Dyer replacement after ankle injury

Amber Davies, 28, has been announced as the latest addition to the Strictly Come Dancing cast, replacing Dani Dyer after she fractured her ankle in rehearsals. Davies will make her debut on the show’s first live broadcast, dancing the Waltz with partner Nikita Kuzmin on Saturday night as she rounds out this year’s lineup.

Davies is a trained West End performer with a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance. She studied dance at school and trained at Danceworld Stage School, later attending the performing-arts-focused Urdang Academy as a teenager. Her professional resume includes a stint as a dancer at Cirque Le Soir in London and, most recently, a 2024 appearance on ITV’s Dancing On Ice, where she finished fifth with skating partner Simon Proulx-Sénécal.

The decision to bring Davies into Strictly came after Dani Dyer fractured her ankle during a training rehearsal last Friday, a development first reported by the Daily Mail. BBC Studios executives said Dyer’s departure was a precautionary measure and that the door would be open for her return next year if possible. Sarah James, the show’s executive producer, paid tribute to Dyer’s enthusiasm and energy, noting that the production team was saddened by her withdrawal but wished her well in recovery and hoped to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.

Dyer’s exit follows another pre-live-show withdrawal earlier this year, when Kristian Nairn pulled out of the lineup for medical reasons. The Daily Mail detailed Dyer’s account of the injury, explaining that she fell during a rehearsal, believed she had rolled her foot, and later learned she had fractured her ankle. She said she was heartbroken to miss the competition but would be watching and cheering on the other couples.

Amber’s signing drew a mixed reaction from fans online. Some critics argued that the show is supposed to be about celebrities learning to dance, not already-trained performers; others pointed to Davies’ Dancing On Ice experience as evidence she has prior audience-pleasing dance credit. Social posts cited questions about whether having a trained dancer on the show undermines the learning journey that Strictly is meant to offer. Still, Davies has framed the move as a personal opportunity to bring her own skill set to the ballroom, while wishing Dyer a speedy recovery and stating she intends to give her all and do her proud.

With Davies joining the cast, a number of other celebrities on this year’s Strictly also arrive with established dance backgrounds. For example, Lewis Cope, Balvinder Sopal and La Voix have noted dance-related experience or training in their pasts. Cope has West End dance roots from his Billy Elliot days and previously competed on Sky’s Got To Dance as part of the Ruff Diamond troupe, finishing in the finals. Aikines-Aryeetey, known as Nitro from Gladiators, has limited professional dance credentials but competed in Strictly’s 2024 Christmas special, which could give him a head start on the learning curve. Sopal has described dabbling in Latin and ballroom dancing as a hobby in the past, while La Voix brings a performance background from RuPaul’s Drag Race and training at Urdang.

Dyer herself had a varied dance background, having trained in jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance during theatre school from ages two to 14, and even noting in her 2019 autobiography that she once listed “qualified dancer” on her CV. The 2025 lineup’s mix of performers—some with formal dance pedigrees, others with broader performance experience—reflects a broader range of backgrounds this season. The current betting scene for the winner still places Cope, George Clarke, and Amber Davies among the favorites, with odds that reflect their public profiles and prior stage experience.

On joining Strictly, Davies said: "This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life." She added that she has watched the show with her family for years and now feels it is a dream come true to be part of the competition. "I’m going to give it my all and I am sending Dani well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope I do her proud." Davies has already started rehearsals with Kuzmin, and the duo will perform a Waltz on Saturday. The BBC and the production team emphasized their support for Dyer and noted that the door remains open for her to return to the ballroom in the future if her health allows.

The Strictly Come Dancing lineup for 2025 features a wide array of personalities and professions, underscoring the show’s ongoing appeal across audiences. In addition to Davies, the roster includes Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey; Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston; EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal; drag performer La Voix; reality-television personalities Thomas Skinner and Vicky Pattison; football pundit Karen Carney; YouTuber George Clarke; former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink; model Ellie Goldstein; rugby player Chris Robshaw; actor Stefan Dennis; showbiz correspondent Ross King; and Lewis Cope, among others. Each contestant brings a unique blend of energy, ambition and the potential to connect with viewers while learning the steps from their professional partners.

The BBC has reiterated its commitment to delivering a high-energy, competitive season while ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants. Viewers can expect the usual blend of glamour, drama, and the perennial question of which star will master the dance floor first. As Davies settles into her new role, audiences will see how she balances technique with the show’s signature storytelling approach, and whether the critics’ and fans’ early reactions will soften as she demonstrates her capabilities in the weeks ahead.