BBC and Amber Davies respond to Strictly backlash to ‘rip off routine’

The BBC and Amber Davies have responded to the furious backlash which accused her of ‘ripping off the routine from her West End show’ on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month. 

During week 11, which aired on December 6, Amber, 29, and dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, 27, took to the dance floor to perform their own version of the Charleston to Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat from Guys and Dolls as part of Musicals Week. 

The pair ended up getting an impressive 40 out of 40. 

Amber – who shot to fame on Love Island in 2017 – has become a huge name in West End, starring in the likes of Pretty Woman, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Great Gatsby.

She played Jordan Baker in The Great Gasby: A New Musical at the London Coliseum between April and September earlier this year. 

Some noticed that she had some similar dance moves to one of the routines she performed in the West End show. 

However, this was all deliberately done and was not supposed to ‘rip off her routine’ from the West End show.  

Amber said on the Talk of the Townsend podcast: ‘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 [it in].’

A BBC spokesman previously told Mail on Sunday that Amber’s dance last week was a ‘new routine choreographed for Strictly Come Dancing’ which had ‘briefly paid tribute to The Great Gatsby as a nod to Musicals Week’. 

At the time, many viewers also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how unimpressed with her choice of dance. 

‘Didn’t Amber dance the Charleston in The Great Gatsby in the West End?’

‘I was kinda hoping Amber wouldn’t be given a Charleston considering she was in the Great Gatsby and danced… the Charleston.’

‘Amber has just come out of The Great Gatsby, where she did the Charleston every night.’ 

‘You know what BBC really missed out on the opportunity to make it obscenely obvious that 2 celebs are musically trained tonight. You definitely could have given Amber the Great Gatsby and Louis Billy Elliott. But ok.’

‘Amber Davies doing the Charleston in The Great Gatsby in the West End…?’

‘So Amber got a Charleston on #strictly. She’s not long been in the musical the Great Gatsby where she will have danced the Charleston. Anyone seen a level playing field….’

Meanwhile others took to the social media platform to rave over the performance.

‘Can’t wait to rewatch Amber’s Charleston on repeat all week.’

‘Amber’s Charleston was amazinggg.’

‘Amber and Nikita are exploding with fun on this weeks Musical theatre theme. Their Charleston was just jam packed with moves and the supporting dancers made it a show bonanza. Loved it.’

‘That Charlestonwill go down in history!! What a routine! It was like it was lifted straight from a stage show! Smashed it Amber and Nikita!!!’

‘Amber and Nikita’s Charleston was literally one of the best dances in the history of Strictly. Absolutely Incredible!!’

‘Oh my CHRIST. That Charleston was incredible. Obsessed. Amber you are INCREDIBLE.’

It comes after Amber the Mail on Sunday revealed that Amber’s Charleston copied the routine she first performed on the West End stage.

Footage shows the former Love Island star performing exactly the same movements she used in the BBC showpiece in the West End. It appears to be proof that she does have a huge advantage over her rivals.

During The Great Gatsby’s New Money song, she leads a routine dressed in a dark green bodice and black satin trousers. It appears identical to her dance on Strictly.

The footage was taken from West End Live, a major event in Trafalgar Square on June 21 showcasing stage hits.

The revelation raises questions over who is choreographing the routines on the BBC show, which has always been the job of the professional dancers.

A source said: ‘Amber has continually complained about the criticism for being a trained dancer. It has been one big pity party. But this footage shows she was using a routine from a musical she starred in as a professional.’ 

Amber was a late replacement on Strictly after Dani Dyer pulled out with a fractured ankle, but her training at London’s prestigious Urdang Academy, a drama school for musical theatre and dance, soon emerged.

Writing on Instagram last week, Amber – who was previously turned down twice by Strictly bosses for being overqualified – said: ‘I’m really just trying my best… The meanies are out to play.’

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One and will be available to stream on iPlayer.