Amber Davies Withdraws from Legally Blonde Tour Due to Health Crisis
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amber Davies has been compelled to step back from her starring role in the UK tour of Legally Blonde after pulling out of a show mid-performance due to severe health issues. The actor and former Love Island star, who portrays Elle Woods in the musical adaptation of the 2001 Reese Witherspoon film, commenced rehearsals immediately following her stint on the popular BBC dance competition.
Mid-Show Exit and Health Struggles
Davies's demanding schedule appears to have taken a significant toll, with the 29-year-old performer admitting that her body is "fighting for its life" after falling ill last month. The artist took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, to update her followers after being replaced midway through a performance of the musical. According to online videos posted by audience members, Davies became unwell following the show's third number, prompting understudy Hannah Lowther to assume the role.
Posting on Instagram shortly after the incident, Davies revealed that she will be taking time off to recover from a "lingering illness." She explained, "After talking to my doctor, being on antibiotics and trying to recover whilst doing shows is getting me and my health nowhere. I've been working on this lingering illness for a month now, so I'll be off again from my beautiful Elle Woods. This is the last thing I want, but there's no other way."
Reflections on a Gruelling Schedule
Davies followed up with another post, writing, "Also, I keep having to remind myself I went from Gatsby, to a last-minute Strictly, then to Elle, so my body's evidently fighting for its life. I also keep reminding myself that it's okay to be poorly; we are human. Just a reminder there's absolutely never a right time to be poorly in a musical theatre schedule, so you must, for your own sanity, go with the flow!"
The performer expressed concern that continuing to "push through" would prolong her recovery, stating, "I fear if I keep 'pushing through' I will be battling with this for longer than I need to be. I can't wait to be back on stage and feel like me again!!!" The Independent has reached out to Davies and the Legally Blonde production team for further comment on the situation.
A Week of Extremes for the Former Reality Star
This health setback comes during a week of extremes for the former reality television star. On Tuesday, 10 March, Davies won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for her portrayal of Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum, a role she performed last year. This accolade highlights her successful transition from Love Island fame in 2017 to a respected career in musical theatre.
Davies was a last-minute addition to Strictly Come Dancing last year after Dani Dyer fractured her ankle during rehearsals. Despite reaching the final with her partner Nikita Kuzmin and finishing as a runner-up, the musical star faced "nasty comments" from some viewers who believed her performing background gave her an unfair advantage. Reflecting on the backlash earlier this year, Davies noted that the unkind remarks "weren't actually coming from the younger audience" but rather from older individuals.
She elaborated, "I'm a woman. I am ambitious. And [people think] confidence comes across as being stuck-up. But if you're too sweet, you're fake, so you can't do anything right." This recent health crisis underscores the intense pressures and physical demands faced by performers in the entertainment industry, even as they navigate public scrutiny and achieve professional milestones.
