Amber Davies Leads Glamorous Arrivals at London's WhatsOnStage Awards
The London Palladium was illuminated by star power on Sunday night as the annual WhatsOnStage Awards unfolded, with Amber Davies commanding attention in a striking bright red feathered gown. The former Love Island contestant, currently touring as Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde theatre production, arrived alongside her partner Ben Joyce, whom she met while performing together in the West End hit Back to the Future: The Musical.
Davies, aged 29, complemented her high-neck ensemble with statement pearl earrings, wearing her dark hair pulled back and opting for a glowing makeup look accentuated by a light pink lip. Her appearance set the tone for an evening celebrating the best of British theatre, where the awards are uniquely decided by theatregoers themselves.
Record-Breaking Nominations for Paddington The Musical
This year's ceremony saw Paddington The Musical dominate the nominations with an impressive 14 nods, breaking the previous record held by & Juliet. The show, penned by Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale, is in contention for the Best New Musical Award, with recognition also extended to director Luke Sheppard, choreographer Ellen Kane, and its set design team.
Other notable productions in the running include Evita, which received nine nominations for Best Musical Revival, competing against Regent's Park's Brigadoon, the Watermill's actor-musician Jesus Christ Superstar, Sheffield Theatres' festive Little Shop of Horrors, Curve's My Fair Lady, and the Menier and West End transfer of The Producers.
Stellar Attendees and Fashion Highlights
The event attracted a host of celebrities from stage and screen. Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe stole the limelight in a bold black and white suit, accessorised with red painted nails and a Gucci bag. Presenter Ore Oduba showcased a stylish pink top paired with brown trousers, while other attendees included:
- Ncuti Gatwa in a vibrant red suit
- Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin with his girlfriend Lauren
- Heartstopper star Joe Locke
- Casualty actress Evelyn Hoskins
- Presenter Gaby Roslin in a chic white suit
- Actress Harriet Thorpe in a patterned blazer
- Hannah Lowther in a bright pink gown
- Richard Kind in a smart black suit
Additional guests included former X Factor star Matt Cardle, actress Mazz Murray in a shimmering blue gown, Gina Murray, EastEnders star Kim Medcalf, Steps members Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans, and Claire Richards, as well as cast and crew from Paddington, Matt Lucas in a blue suit, and Tom Willis with West End star Katie Hall.
Amber Davies Reflects on Strictly Come Dancing Backlash
In a candid reflection, Amber Davies recently addressed the nasty comments she endured during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing, where she joined as a last-minute replacement for the injured Dani Dyer. The Welsh star, who trained in musical theatre at Urdang on a full scholarship, faced criticism due to her theatrical background.
Davies told The Guardian, Well, 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. She noted that trolling has intensified since her 2017 Love Island win with ex-partner Kem Cetinay, attributing much of the negativity to older audiences rather than younger ones on platforms like TikTok.
When she survived a dance-off against Lewis Cope, Davies was bombarded with cruel remarks, prompting her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin to publicly address the hate on the show. Despite the challenges, Davies expressed that the experience completely changed her, fostering greater self-kindness and comfort in her own skin.
A Night of Celebration and Live Performances
The WhatsOnStage Awards not only crowned winners but also featured exclusive live performances from top theatrical talent, reinforcing its status as a premier event in the UK theatre calendar. With Paddington The Musical leading the charge and stars like Amber Davies shining on the red carpet, the evening underscored the vibrancy and creativity of London's theatre scene.
