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Amber and Nikita wowed with their routine(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing producers have addressed claims that contestant Amber Davies replicated choreography from a previous performance as she awaits the results to discover whether she has secured a place in the final.
The 29-year-old Welsh star, who rose to fame on Love Island and is vying for the coveted Glitterball trophy next week, impressed the judging panel with her Charleston routine, performed alongside professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, 27, during the show’s Musicals week.
However, eagle-eyed Strictly viewers noticed that a section of the routine featured dance steps Amber had previously executed whilst starring in The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum earlier this year.
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After footage emerged comparing the reality star’s performances from both productions, some critics – particularly those who have been vocal since she stepped in to replace Dani Dyer on Strictly – accused the Legally Blonde actress of lacking originality.
Nevertheless, the dancing partnership reportedly intentionally included the ‘Easter Egg’ sequence within their routine, with the remainder consisting of completely fresh choreography.
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The Strictly semi-final saw another pair go home(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
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A BBC spokesperson clarified: “This was a new routine choreographed for Strictly Come Dancing, which – as already discussed online – briefly paid tribute to The Great Gatsby as a nod to Musicals Week.”
During a podcast appearance, Amber herself acknowledged weaving elements of her West End performance into her Strictly routine – ‘because it would have been, like, illegal not to’.
During an appearance on the Talk of the Townsends podcast with Nikita, Amber discussed her theatre background and her decision to include a nod to her viral New Money routine in her performances, reports the Mirror.
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She said: “I asked if I could just put a little easter egg because obviously the New Money routine went viral on social media. So I just thought it would be like, illegal, for me to not at least put [in something].”
Nikita, who is aiming to reach the finals with his partner, noted that this was “probably the only thing she’s asked to add in all of the routines we’ve done”.
Amber has been subject to harsh criticism from viewers since she stepped in to replace Dani Dyer on the show, who had to withdraw due to injury.
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Many detractors have argued that her West End experience gave her an unfair advantage over other contestants and that she should not have been allowed to compete.
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Amber and Nikita are finalists (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
However, Nikita defended his partner, stating that despite receiving ‘hate every single day’ from viewers, Amber remained positive and ‘came every single day into the training room with a big smile, ignoring everybody’.
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He continued: “You were always so 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. You are such a lovely, positive person.”
Nikita concluded by pleading: “Please, please be kind because it costs nothing and you don’t deserve none of that.”
TikTok star Hannah Lowther also voiced her support for Amber, telling The Mirror: “Amber is just the sweetest, loveliest human being in the world. I’ve always wanted to go on Strictly one day!”
Despite the former Love Island champion’s extensive performance background, including roles in musicals such as 9 to 5 and The Great Gatsby, and her upcoming portrayal of Elle Woods in a touring production of Legally Blonde, Hannah maintains that the dance training typically provided in drama schools is “completely different” to what is required on Strictly.
