It’s supposed to be her big shining moment — a glittering debut on one of Britain’s most-loved shows.
But behind the sequins and the smiles, Amber Davies’ Strictly Come Dancing journey is already stirring up major drama.
The 29-year-old performer, who first rose to fame on Love Island, has reportedly been left fuming over the backlash from both fans and her fellow contestants — and she’s taking drastic steps to regain control of her image.
From Love Island to the Strictly Spotlight
When Amber stepped onto the Strictly dancefloor this season, many viewers already knew she wasn’t exactly a stranger to choreography.
With over a decade of professional dance experience and an impressive West End résumé that includes Back to the Future: The Musical and The Great Gatsby, some fans felt she had an unfair advantage.
And while her polished performances earned rave reviews from the judges — even landing her the highest score of the season so far — that same skillset has triggered criticism from Strictly’s devoted audience, who prefer to see celebrities learn and grow week by week.
Furious Over the Backlash
According to insiders, Amber hasn’t taken the criticism lightly.
Sources say she was “furious” over the negative chatter and internal tension, and in a surprising move, she’s reportedly parted ways with the management and PR team who helped her land the coveted Strictly slot.
Amber, who was brought in as a late replacement for an injured Dani Dyer, has now cut ties with celebrity management firm Massive.
Her Instagram contact details have also quietly changed — gone is PR heavyweight Simon Jones, who once represented stars like Ant and Dec, Little Mix, and One Direction.
In his place is the prestigious London PR agency DawBell, known for clients such as Sir Paul McCartney, Harry Styles, James Corden, and Michelle Keegan.
A Pattern of Career Power Moves
While some might view Amber’s shake-up as ruthless, those who know her best say this is nothing new.
“Amber has always been fiercely ambitious,” one source told The Mail on Sunday.
“If she doesn’t think someone’s pushing her to the next level, she moves on — fast.”
Since winning Love Island in 2017, she’s worked with four different agents, switching teams whenever she felt progress wasn’t happening quickly enough.
Her drive has been described as “ruthless,” and friends say she’s always been “determined to the point of obsession” about becoming an A-list star.
The Public Perception Problem
For all her drive and talent, Amber’s background in dance has made it harder to win over Strictly’s viewers, who tend to root for underdogs.
“Strictly fans want to see a journey,” a source explained. “They don’t want someone who already dances for a living.
Amber’s incredible, but she’s starting from a place that feels too polished — and that’s rubbing people the wrong way.”
Still, it’s hard to deny her talent. Her routines have been precise, energetic, and confident — traits that have won over the judges, even if the public isn’t quite as forgiving.
A Look Back at Her Romantic Past
Away from the dance floor, Amber’s love life has also drawn attention.
She’s been happily dating fellow West End actor Ben Joyce for the past three years, but her romantic history includes a few famous names.
Before settling down, Amber briefly dated former Premier League footballer Danny Simpson, who previously played for Leicester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United.
Sources say the two grew close after he reached out on social media and even invited her on a luxurious getaway.
However, the fling was short-lived. “Danny lost interest after a while, and Amber was quite hurt,” one insider shared.
“She was more serious about it than he was — she’s always been a romantic at heart.”
From Love Island to Heartbreak and Growth
Amber’s first taste of fame came when she won Love Island in 2017 alongside Kem Cetinay.
But their relationship didn’t last long, reportedly ending because she felt he wasn’t ready for something serious.
She later had an on-and-off romance with businessman Nick Kyriacou and was linked briefly to chart-topping singer Tom Grennan early in his career.
Despite her ups and downs, friends say she’s now found stability — both personally and professionally — and is laser-focused on her Strictly success.
A New Team and a Fresh Start
Those close to Amber believe her latest move — parting ways with her PR and management team — is all part of her plan to take full control of her public image.
“She’s always wanted to be seen as a serious star,” a source said.
“Now that she’s back on primetime TV, she’s expecting red carpet treatment and big opportunities.”
With a new PR team behind her and Strictly’s spotlight shining bright, Amber seems determined to turn the current backlash into a stepping stone.
Whether she’ll win over the public remains to be seen — but one thing’s clear: Amber Davies is not backing down from the spotlight anytime soon.