West End performer Amber Davies has made an emotional appeal to Strictly Come Dancing viewers, urging them to "be kind" after receiving a wave of criticism regarding her prior dance experience. The plea came just hours after she and professional partner Nikita Kuzmin topped the leaderboard with a stunning Charleston that earned them four perfect scores from the judges.
A Plea for Kindness Amidst the Glitterball
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, 7th December 2025, the 29-year-old actress directly addressed the negative comments that followed her high-scoring performance. "Guys, please...it really is just a television show," Davies wrote. She revealed a surprising detail about her late entry into the competition, stating, "I wasn't even supposed to be in the comp."
Davies emphasised the immense physical and mental effort required for the BBC One show, adding, "You have no idea what we put our mind and body through for this experience.. I'm really just trying my best with the opportunity that came to me." She signed off her message with a note that read, "The meanies are out to play. Please be kind," while thanking those who had left supportive comments.
The Root of the Controversy
The criticism stems from Davies's established career in musical theatre. Before joining Strictly, she had starred in major West End productions including 9 to 5: The Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby. Some viewers argued this gave her an unfair advantage over other contestants with no performance background.
Following her Charleston to Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat from Guys and Dolls, social media saw divided reactions. One critic commented on a clip of the dance, "An amazing dance but she's had an advantage as already performed in a few musicals." Another wrote, "Well she was in the Great Gatsby this year..of course she can dance," accompanied by an eye-roll emoji.
Replacement Star Tops the Leaderboard
Davies's participation in the 2025 series was itself a twist of fate. She was a last-minute replacement for Love Island's Dani Dyer, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained after the launch show. Davies stepped in just ahead of the first live show and has been competing with Nikita Kuzmin ever since.
Their performance on Saturday night received glowing praise from the judging panel, securing them a joint top spot on the leaderboard. Despite the online negativity, a significant number of fans have rallied in support of the couple.
Supportive messages flooded in, with one fan writing, "Amber, you are amazing! Incredibly talented and completely deserved of all your success." Another stated, "Wtf. I'm shocked at the hate. You Amber were magnificent. The night belonged to you." A third admirer simply said, "Wow wow I can't stop watching this performance... It's absolutely brilliant!!!!!!"
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by reality TV contestants, particularly on a flagship show like Strictly Come Dancing, where the line between professional experience and being a 'novice' is often hotly debated by its devoted audience.
