Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has launched a fierce defence of finalist Amber Davies, arguing that her prior musical theatre training has been a hindrance, not a help, in the BBC ballroom competition.
Judge's Fiery Defence on This Morning
Speaking on ITV's This Morning on Friday, just a day before the grand final, the 59-year-old panellist addressed the ongoing criticism aimed at the former Love Island star. Anton was joined by hosts Dermot O'Leary and Angela Scanlon to discuss the three remaining couples.
While praising the progress of TikTok star George Clarke and admitting former footballer Karen Carney had surprised him, Anton was quick to champion Davies. "Goodness, how marvellous is Amber. She is so extraordinary - she is really brilliant," he declared.
He highlighted the immense pressure she faced, revealing: "To think that she came in with a day to spare, she came in on the Friday and we did the show on the Saturday!"
Why Classical Training is a Ballroom Handicap
When Dermot O'Leary mentioned the audience stir caused by Davies's background, Anton insisted it was "not fair". He then stood up to give a practical demonstration. He showed positions from classical training, where knees and feet turn outwards, which Davies would have spent "her life" perfecting.
"Everything goes sideways in classical training, but in Ballroom, Latin and American dancing, we want everything to go forwards and backwards," Anton explained. "[Her classical training] is of no use to her in the Ballroom and Latin world at all. She's got to relearn everything again, and she had a day to do it."
He concluded his defence with a plea to viewers: "I'm delighted she'd made the final, she's danced brilliantly, and what I'd like people to do, whether they vote for her or not, just go, 'you're great, well done'."
Amber Davies Hits Back at 'Arrogant' Critics
This follows Davies's own powerful rebuttal to online trolls who have branded her "arrogant" and "stuck up". The 29-year-old West End star, a graduate of London's prestigious Urdang Academy, spoke to the Daily Mail ahead of the final where she will dance with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.
"I can't believe I have to say this in 2025, but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you're stuck up," she stated. "I want to change that. It shouldn't even be the narrative."
Davies, who was a last-minute replacement for the injured Dani Dyer, acknowledged she entered with experience but stressed the vast difference between musical theatre and Strictly's styles. Despite earning multiple perfect scores from judges, she survived three tense dance-offs to reach the final, citing a lack of public votes.
"I feel like this isn't a new story," she said, referencing past contestants like Layton Williams and Ashley Roberts who faced similar scrutiny. "Musical theatre is polar opposite to ballroom and Latin, but people don't always want to listen to that."
She urged her followers and the public to embrace self-belief: "Another thing I want to say is being your own cheerleader and loving yourself is the kindest form of self-love that you have. I just can't believe we still have to say this in 2025."
The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Davies will compete against George Clarke and Karen Carney for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
