Amber Davies has been announced as the new star joining Strictly after Dani Dyer was forced to pull out. 

Love Island star Amber is a trained West End performer and will make her debut on Saturday night for the first live show of the series – dancing with partner Nikita Kuzmin.

Bosses had hoped that Dani, who was originally partnered with Nikita, would go far in the competition, but it was announced on Tuesday that she’d been forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle in training.

Amber – who was voted the winner of Love Island in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay – has a high chance of success, however, given she’s a trained dancer.

She has pursued a professional acting career, with lead roles in theatre productions including Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby.  

On joining Strictly, Amber said: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life.’

Amber Davies is joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing and will make her debut during Saturday night’s live show alongside partner Nikita Kuzmin 

Bosses had hoped that Dani Dyer, who was originally partnered with Nikita, would go far in the competition, but it was announced on Tuesday that she’d been forced to withdraw 

Bosses had hoped that Dani would go far in the competition but Amber has a high chance of success given she’s a trained dancer (pictured in The Great Gatsby on the West End) 

She continued: ‘I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true. 

‘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.’ 

Amber has just started rehearsals with her partner Nikita, and they will dance a waltz on Saturday night.

Yet while she may not have long to prepare, she has plenty of dance experience already. 

Amber has a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre and Dance, took dance as a GCSE subject at school, and trained at Danceworld Stage School.

She also competed on Dancing On Ice last year, finishing in fourth place.  

At the time, she insisted her dance experience would be of no benefit to her on the show, telling the Daily Mail: ‘I think people will not think that because honestly in skating I’ve had to bin half of my dance training anyway!’

‘Everything in dancing is keep straight legs and you kind of have to let go when you’re on the ice.

‘The only quality that I’ve got is that I can perform. I will be able to tell the story whether it’s a sad number or whether it’s a happy number – but other than that it’s going to be difficult.

‘But I feel like people will sympathise. At the end of the day you’re balancing on two blades – I don’t think it matters what training you’ve got.’

Dani’s partner Nikita will now be paired with fellow Love Island star Amber  

Amber will compete on this year’s Strictly alongside Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Stefan Dennis, Ross King, Karen Carney and Lewis Cope. 

Within minutes of Amber being announced, bookies had already made her one of the favourites to win. 

Her odds of scooping the Glitterball Trophy are 5-1, putting her on par with George and Vicky. The current frontrunner is Lewis with odds of 2-1. 

The announcement follows Dani’s departure from this year’s competition due to injury.

In a statement, BBC bosses confirmed that the door would be left open for ‘heartbroken’ Dani to return next year, saying they ‘hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future’.

Dani is also the second star to pull out of this year’s series before the first live show has even aired, as Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew from the lineup due to ‘unexpected medical reasons.’

The Daily Mail broke the news that Dani, one of the show’s favourites, had to bow out on Tuesday, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal last Friday.

Amber first rose to fame when she was voted the winner of Love Island in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay and went on to land a number of West End roles 

Amber competed on Dancing On Ice last year, finishing in fourth place. At the time, she insisted her dance experience was of no benefit to her on the show

Dani later confirmed this in a statement and said: ‘I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.

‘Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable (!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show.

‘To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.’

The accident occurred before Dani even got to perform one routine.

Sarah James, Executive Producer for BBC Studios said: ‘Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start.

‘Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she’s no longer able to compete in this year’s series. We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.’

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.’