West End actress Amber Davies has become emotional while admitting that her starring role on Strictly Come Dancing last year "annihilated" her physical and mental wellbeing. The 29-year-old performer opened up candidly about why she has been off sick from her lead role in Legally Blonde: The Musical during a heartfelt episode of her podcast, Call To Stage With Amber Davies.
Health Crisis Forced Show Withdrawal
Davies was previously forced to pull out of the production for the foreseeable future after falling seriously ill. Her role as leading lady Elle Woods was subsequently taken over by understudy Hannah. During her podcast appearance, the actress shared a detailed health update, revealing how her demanding schedule took a devastating toll on her body.
Ignoring Warning Signs
She admitted she "should have listened" to her body after becoming seriously unwell following press night. Davies explained that after weeks of intense rehearsals and building the production from scratch, her immune system was already "run down" when she contracted the flu, which quickly spread through the entire cast.
Despite feeling increasingly unwell, she pushed through performances, determined not to let anyone down. "I had that 'show must go on' mentality," Davies confessed, acknowledging she put others before her own health due to the pressure of leading the production.
Infection Worsened Dramatically
The situation deteriorated when her illness developed into a severe chest and sinus infection, requiring antibiotic treatment. Although she initially began to feel better, Davies returned to work too soon - a decision she called her "first error" - as the infection had not fully cleared.
Things then took a dramatic turn when her condition suddenly worsened. She recalled struggling to even get to the theatre before her energy and voice began failing completely. "I remember sitting at the back, I was meant to drive to the show that day, and I just didn't have the energy to drive," Davies shared.
Breaking Point Reached
"So I got in the back of an Uber, and I remember just sitting there thinking, 'oh my god, there's something seriously wrong with me'. But again, I didn't want to call in. I didn't, and because I'd just previously been ill like three weeks before, I was like, I can't call in again, like what is going on?"
Davies described the terrifying moment during a performance when she realized she couldn't continue: "I started the show, and I'd got under the lights in my Elle costume, in my wig, and I just wasn't there. Like my voice was shutting down on me. Simultaneously, my energy was dropping - I was like oh god, get me off this stage."
Medical Intervention Required
After this breaking point, she made the difficult call to step back from the production. Medical tests later revealed her infection levels were "through the roof." Davies is now recovering with an extended course of antibiotics alongside steroids to tackle the severe infection.
Reflecting on the ordeal, she admitted feeling guilty for pushing herself so far, but said the experience served as a crucial wake-up call. Davies vowed she will never ignore her body's warning signs again.
Strictly Come Dancing Connection
Elsewhere in the podcast conversation, Davies revealed she was offered Strictly Come Dancing just before beginning rehearsals for Legally Blonde. Despite wanting time to rest between projects, she felt unable to turn down the prestigious opportunity.
"How on earth was I supposed to know that Strictly were going to call? Obviously, that isn't an opportunity I can turn down," she explained. "I think I underestimated how much Strictly was going to annihilate me and chew me up."
Physical and Emotional Toll
Davies elaborated on the immense pressure: "Like yes, it was the best thing I've ever done. I would do it a million times again. I loved it with all my heart, even all the sh***y trolls. But I flatlined after Strictly. Some clips come up on my social sometimes of like the semi-finals and the final, and I can see it in my eyes, like, I'm not there, you know?"
She concluded with stark honesty about the experience: "It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And like, physically, emotionally, I couldn't have given anymore. By the end, I wasn't me."
The actress's candid revelations highlight the intense physical and emotional demands placed on performers in high-pressure entertainment environments, and serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of prioritizing health over professional commitments.
