Strictly’s Amber Davies says she’s ‘fighting for her life’ after backlash over new role

Amber’s starring in her first theatre role since Strictly Come Dancing and she’s said 12-year-olds are shouting at me’

View 2 Images

Strictly star Amber Davies(Image: Amber Davies Instagram)

Strictly Come Dancing star Amber Davies has said she is ‘fighting for her life’ as she responded to the comments being made about her latest musical theatre role.

The actress and West End star is back on stage and last week, made her debut in the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical. Amber was revealed as taking on the role in September, just days before she ended up being drafted in to appear in Strictly’s 2025 series line-up.

As the news was confirmed, Amber gushed: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Elle Woods in ROYO and Curve’s new production of Legally Blonde. As a huge fan of the film and the musical, this part is the role of a lifetime, and I am honoured to be stepping into Elle’s perfect heels.

“I have always wanted to work with the incredible theatrical mind that is Nikolai Foster, and I am so excited to hit the road again and bring Laurence O’Keefe’s incredible score back to the UK! Get ready Harvard… This is gonna be just like senior year except for funner!”

Amber, who has appeared in theatre productions including Back to the Future: The Musical and The Great Gatsby, then signed up to take part in the BBC One dance contest just 24 hours before the first live show of the 2025 series after Dani Dyer was forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle during training for her first performance.

She went on to make the final of Strictly’s 23rd series, which took place on December 20 as she and professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin went up against fellow finalists Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, and George Clarke and Alexis Warr for the coveted Glitterball trophy. In the end, it was former Lioness Karen and her professional dance partner Carlos who were seen being crowned champions following the all-important public vote.

View 2 Images

Amber is taking on the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical(Image: Amber Davies Instagram)

It was over the weekend that Amber was seen opening in the role of Elle as the Legally Blonde: The Musical tour officially got underway in Leicester at the Curve theatre. Sharing a video of her emotional moment during the curtain call to her Instagram Story, the 29-year-old said: “Holding back the tears. What a night. [crying emoji].”

But now, Amber has returned to social media where she seemingly admitted to getting backlash to her new role. The 28-year-old said in a video shared to her Instagram Story: “I don’t know who needs to hear this but, nobody asked for your opinion. Not a single soul,” before captioning the post: “Me arguing with everyone on TikTok.”

She continued in follow-up videos: “Guys, I am shooketh. I feel like this app is completely different to the other app… Guys, I’m fighting for my life on the other app. What is with everyone? And opions? My mother told me to keep my opinions to myself if it wasn’t very nice. Where’s that rule gone?

“I knew Legally [Blonde] had this big, big following but I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I’m fighting for my life. Tweleve-year-olds are screaming at me on the other app and I just think guys, can we just chill out? It’s just musical theatre. Anyway, it’s going to be a long year!”