Amber Davies Takes Drastic Health Measures After Legally Blonde Exit
Former Love Island contestant Amber Davies has disclosed the extreme steps she is taking to recover from a serious illness that forced her withdrawal from the Legally Blonde musical production. The 29-year-old actress, who had been starring as Elle Woods for just four weeks, confirmed she is using an oxygen tank daily and may need extended antibiotic treatment.
Medical Intervention and Recovery Timeline
Davies took to Instagram on Monday to update fans about her health situation, revealing she has been using an oxygen tank for one hour daily over three days to accelerate her recovery. The performer indicated her chest infection has proven more stubborn than anticipated, potentially requiring longer antibiotic treatment than originally planned.
"Oxygen Tank 1 hour a day for 3 days to speed up recovering," Davies wrote on social media. "Looks like I'll be needing to extend my time on the antibiotics as it's taking longer to budge than I'd anticipated. Nearly there, more rest & less street for the win."
Production Challenges and Understudy Transition
Davies' illness necessitated her stepping back from the lead role, with understudy Hannah Lowther taking over as Elle Woods. Lowther normally portrays Margot in the production and performs the lead role once weekly as part of the show's scheduling. Davies has explicitly denied rumors of any backstage feud between herself and Lowther, emphasizing their professional relationship and mutual support.
"Just to clear things up, I'm not leaving Legally, I'm not taking a break & there is no feud," Davies stated on Instagram. "I'm simply just finishing off a set of antibiotics for a chest infection that's been lingering for over a month."
Wider Production Setbacks and Fan Reactions
The latest Legally Blonde production has encountered multiple challenges since its launch, with illness affecting several cast members. Recently, when the show was performing in Milton Keynes, producers made the controversial decision to stage it as a concert-style performance due to widespread illness among the company.
This alternative format featured cast members sitting on chairs with some reading from scripts, leading to significant fan disappointment. Many audience members who paid £70 for tickets demanded refunds, arguing they did not receive the full theatrical experience they had purchased.
One frustrated fan commented: "All love and respect for the cast doing their very best, but this is poor from the company who definitely should've postponed instead of trying to hold on to the money & avoid cancelling."
Historical Context and Cast Dynamics
Legally Blonde: The Musical, based on the 2001 comedy film starring Reese Witherspoon, originally opened on Broadway in 2007 before transferring to London's West End in 2010 with Sheridan Smith in the lead role. Previous productions have featured notable performers including former EastEnders star Jill Halfpenny and Blue singer Duncan James.
Despite rumors of tension between Davies and Lowther circulating in media reports, both performers have publicly expressed mutual admiration. Lowther previously told The Mirror about Davies: "Amber is just the sweetest, loveliest human being in the world."
Davies concluded her Instagram message by expressing her eagerness to return to the stage, writing: "See you all for a good ol' bend and snap ASAP." The production continues with Lowther in the lead role while Davies focuses on her recovery through medical intervention and rest.
