Strictly Come Dancing has welcomed a new contestant to the line-up after reality star Dani Dyer was forced to step back from the BBC competition series after breaking her ankle during rehearsals. The 28-year-old’s exit was confirmed on Tuesday (September 23), as Dani issued a statement about how “heartbroken” she is to be unexpectedly leaving the show. However, this tough decision comes after medical advice, as doctors said she would not be able to dance due to the injury. In the days since, Strictly bosses have now named Amber Davies as Dani’s replacement, and she will be paired with Nikita Kuzmin for the remainder of the competition.

Having just started rehearsals, the podcaster will make her Strictly debut tonight (September 27) during the first of the live shows, dancing the waltz. The Welsh actress, who also won Love Island in 2017, said: “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.” The star added that she would “give it my all” and sent Dyer “well wishes for a speedy recovery.” Amber’s addition to Strictly also marks a major milestone as she will be the first contestant to be judged by both dance professional sisters, Motsi and Oti Mabuse.

Just last year, the 28-year-old previously competed on Dancing on Ice, where she was paired with Simon Proulx-Sénécal and finished in fifth place.

During the 2024 series, the panel of judges included Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, and Oti Mabuse, Ashley Banjo and Johnny Weir, who filled in for the Diversity star when he went on tour.

Oti’s sister, Motsi, will return to the Strictly panel alongside Craig Revel-Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

The sibling duo even starred on Strictly together until 2022, when Oti left the show as a professional after an impressive seven-year run, which included two consecutive wins in 2019 with Kevin Fletcher and then in 2020 with Bill Bailey.

Amber’s previous experience with dance has also sparked fix rumours among Strictly viewers as she is also a trained West End performer.

Unlike many of her co-stars, who will be taking dance rehearsals for the very first time, her capabilities span since childhood as she has a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance, took dance as a GCSE subject at school, and trained at Danceworld Stage School.

The reality star also attended Urdang Academy, where she studied Performing Arts as a teenager and trained in musical theatre.

Amber also previously worked as a dancer at the London nightclub Cirque Le Soir.

Adding to her incredible week of good news, the 28-year-old was also recently announced as the lead for next year’s Legally Blonde musical tour, which will kick off in February.