EXCLUSIVE: Strictly star Amber Davies pays tribute to West End star boyfriend Ben Joyce after ‘difficult’ week

Proud boyfriend Ben and Amber’s mum were cheering her on from the audienceCredit: BBC

Amber admitted to facing a tough week after trolls targeted her onlineCredit: BBC

Amber performed a Hollywood inspired ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ routine for her couple’s choiceCredit: PA

The star got emotional as Nikita urged fans to “be kind”Credit: BBC

Strictly’s Nikita hits back at online trolls for attacking Amber Davies as he breaks down in tearsCredit: BBC
Since then, she has called Ben her “rock” – and on tonight’s episode of Strictly, he was seen proudly sitting besides Amber mum to support her in the semi-finals.

After her second dance with pro partner Nikita Kuzmin – a Couple’s Choice to Fly Me to the Moon that paid homage to the golden era of Hollywood – Amber got emotional speaking out him with Claudia.

Choking back tears before she even reached the “Clauditorium”, Amber spoke about how important the dance was to her, before praising those who have been an emotional support for her during a tough week.

“After doing the dance off last week, I thought, Oh no, we might not get to do our couple’s choice,” she said.

“So the fact that we’ve done it just means the world to me. ”

“My mum has been by my side from since day one, and she’s turned into my best friend, and I couldn’t live a single day without her,” she added.

“She’s just amazing. And my boyfriend, Ben, thank you for everything as well.”

Amber has suffered a particularly brutal week this week, after she faced the dance-off last week and won – meaning fan favourites Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were knocked out of the competition.

Enraged fans took to social media to troll Amber, whose career as a musical theatre star has left fans critical of her being on the show.

She has since been named by bookies as favourite to leave this week, just one week before the grand finale.

Contestants have hit back in defence of Amber, with George Clarke commenting on the brutal lashing she was facing online as a result of her position on the show.

“I think just to send people hate for absolutely no reason is just insane,” he said on his Useless Hotline podcast.

“Amber produced an unbelievable dance. Ended up having to do it again in a dance off. Produced it, if anything better, and is then getting hate, I think it’s just unnecessary.”

Tonight, her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin took a moment on the show to also speak out in her defence, hitting back at those watching who have gone after Amber.

“You have had so much hate from every single day, from the moment you joined, you had so much hate this week, and yet you came every single day into the training room with a big smile, ignoring everybody and just giving me love,” he told her. Giving me a little ginger shot as well!

“But you came with so much love. You always were kind. You’re so caring. You care more about me, when I’m supposed to care about you. You care about me every single day.”

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As Amber broke down in tears, he continued: “You are such a lovely, positive person. And I think sometimes, and I speak to the audience at home, just guys, just please, please be kind, because it costs nothing, and you don’t deserve none of that.

“Without you, if you wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be here as well, and neither the show will be as good as it is, because you bring so much joy, that’s the only thing you bring, and you deserve all the love in the world.

Strictly’s Nikita hits back at online trolls for attacking Amber Davies as he breaks down in tearsCredit: BBC

Amber praised her boyfriend and mum for their support during a tough weekCredit: BBC

Amber praised her mum as her ‘best friend’ before also acknowledging boyfriend BenCredit: PA