Helen BushbyCulture reporter
Amber Davies, who is an actress, West End star and former Love Island winner is to replace Dani Dyer in the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
TV personality Dyer had to withdraw from the show earlier this week after breaking her ankle.
Davies, who is also a podcaster, will make her Strictly debut on Saturday – the first live show of the series – and will be dancing the waltz with Nikita Kuzmin, having just started rehearsals with him.
She won Love Island in 2017 and has since had roles in musical theatre, including in Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby.
“This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life,” the Welsh actress said.
“I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.”
She added she would “give it my all” and sent Dyer “well wishes for a speedy recovery”.
Davies, who was recently announced as the lead for next year’s Legally Blonde musical tour, also competed in the 16th series of Dancing on Ice.
She presented the 2019 documentary Amber and Dolly: 9 to 5 for ITVBe, where she flew to Nashville to meet and interview Dolly Parton, and also acted in CBBC’s drama Almost Never in the same year.
Dyer was the second celebrity to withdraw before the contest had even begun, following Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn.
