With just days to go until the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final, contestant Amber Davies has experienced an emotional rollercoaster, breaking down in tears on live television before putting on a brave face for promotional duties.
An Emotional Week for the Finalist
The 29-year-old Love Islander turned West End star was visibly moved during an appearance on BBC Two's It Takes Two on Tuesday. Reflecting on her unexpected journey from a last-minute replacement to a finalist, Davies struggled to contain her emotions.
"It makes me wanna cry, honestly. I can't believe I'm here," she told host Fleur East. "I had this random phone call on a Wednesday night, to being in the final and having the best 12 weeks of my life." Her dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin, handed her a box of tissues as she admitted, "I'm just over the moon. I don't want it to be over."
Promo Day at the BBC
A day after her televised emotional moment, Davies attended a press call at BBC Headquarters in London with the other finalists. Dressed in casual chocolate brown sweats, she managed a small smile alongside a more jubilant Kuzmin.
The group of 2025 finalists – which also includes former footballer Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, plus social media star George Clarke with Alexis Warr – gathered for photos and interviews. The event sets the stage for Saturday's live final, where Davies will compete directly against Carney and Clarke for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Overcoming Controversy and Trolling
Davies's path to the final has not been without controversy. She faced a wave of online trolling regarding her prior dance training at London's prestigious Urdang Academy, which led Nikita Kuzmin to make a heartfelt plea to critics during last weekend's live show.
Further scrutiny arose during Musicals Week, when some viewers accused her Charleston routine of "ripping off" a dance from her West End show, The Great Gatsby: A New Musical. Both Davies and the BBC have clarified that the similarity was a deliberate and brief tribute, or "easter egg," for fans.
"I asked if I could just put a little easter egg because obviously the new money routine went viral on social media," Davies explained on the Talk of the Townsend podcast. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the routine was newly choreographed for Strictly, with a small nod to the musical.
Despite the challenges, Davies secured her place in the final after a tense dance-off against Balvinder Sopal. Now, she is determined to cherish her last moments in the "Strictly bubble," which she says "came into my life with a vengeance." The Strictly Come Dancing final airs this Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
