The Truth Behind the Strictly Partnership
West End performer Amber Davies has finally addressed the speculation surrounding her remarkably close friendship with professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly Come Dancing 2023. The former Love Island winner, who was a last-minute addition to the cast, has been wowing judges and audiences alike, consistently landing near the top of the leaderboard and cementing her status as a serious contender for the glitterball trophy.
A Partnership Forged in 24 Hours
Davies revealed the unique and intense start to their partnership. She received the call to join the show on the Friday before the launch show, leaving her and Kuzmin with just 24 hours to rehearse their first routine before performing live in front of millions. "What was unique to us as a couple was that we had to skip a million steps," Amber told The Sun. "I met him on the Friday, and we were dancing live on the show on the Saturday night. I had to trust him immediately."
That trust was instantaneous. Davies confessed, "I instantly knew I was in safe hands." She heaped praise on Kuzmin, describing him as a "dream to work with" and crediting him with boosting her confidence. "He believes in me more than I believe in myself," she shared. "He tells me: 'I absolutely know I can push you and you can do this.' I’ve gained so much knowledge from him."
Dancing Success and Denying the Rumours
The pair's hard work and chemistry have translated into spectacular results on the dance floor. Last weekend, they delivered a dazzling disco-infused salsa to Sylvester's You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), earning an impressive 38 out of 40 points from the judges. This high score secured them second place on the weekly leaderboard, proving their potential to go all the way.
Their visible closeness, however, has sparked the inevitable Strictly curse rumours over the past couple of months. Both Davies and Kuzmin have firmly denied any romantic involvement. Nikita is in a relationship with girlfriend Lauren Jaine, which began in 2023. Meanwhile, Amber is happily dating fellow West End star Ben Joyce; the couple met in 2022 while performing in Back to the Future: The Musical.
Davies recently took to Instagram to publicly thank Joyce for his unwavering support, gushing about him ensuring she has dinner after rehearsals and providing "extra plasters ready when my feet need them." She wrote, "I couldn't do any of this without you by my side... I am genuinely the luckiest girl in the world." As Amber prepares to take on the lead role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical, her Strictly journey with Nikita continues to be one built on rapid trust, professional respect, and a shared drive to win.
