Dani Dyer has posted a message to the contestants of the current live show of Strictly Come Dancing, following reports of discontent among the cast regarding her replacement, Amber Davies.
Earlier this week, Dani had to exit the competition due to an ankle fracture sustained during training. She was originally paired with Nikita Kuzmin. Subsequently, Amber, a previous winner of Love Island like Dani, was chosen as her replacement.
Taking to Instagram, Dani extended her best wishes to the entire cast, expressing pride in their hard work and excitement to watch them perform.
There was apparent frustration among the Strictly stars over the decision to replace Dani with Amber, given the latter’s background in dance. Amber, 28, has notably starred in dance-centric musicals such as The Great Gatsby and 9 To 5, and previously worked as a dancer at London nightclub Cirque Le Soir.
According to an insider, some contestants felt it was unjust to select someone with significant dance training, particularly since another replacement, Lewis Cope, also has dance experience.
The BBC refuted claims of discontent, stating there was no evidence supporting the allegations made in a report by The Sun.
Both Amber and Lewis, who joined the show after Kristian Nairn’s withdrawal and before the pre-recorded launch, are among several contestants with prior dance backgrounds. Past instances of contestants with dance experience like Tasha Ghouri and Ashley Roberts have sparked similar debates, though none have been specifically trained in ballroom and latin techniques.
Anton Du Beke, a long-time series participant, noted that while some contestants may have dance experience, it may not necessarily translate to expertise in ballroom dancing. He emphasized the importance of progression throughout the competition.
In conclusion, despite the controversies surrounding dance backgrounds of certain contestants, the show continues to showcase a diverse range of talents and experiences, adding to the competitive and entertaining nature of the program.
