Cliff Notes – Strictly’s Nikita sends emotional message to Dani Dyer after incredible Amber Davies debut
- Nikita Kuzmin expressed his sadness over Dani Dyer’s injury, hoping to finish their quickstep together in the future.
- Amber Davies stepped in on short notice, impressively performing a waltz after just two days of rehearsal.
- Viewers praised both Amber’s performance and Nikita’s ability to adapt quickly, highlighting their potential as a partnership.
Strictly’s Nikita sends emotional message to Dani Dyer after ‘incredible’ Amber Davies debut
Nikita Kuzmin and Amber Davies performed their first dance together (Picture: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin shared an emotional message to Dani Dyer during the Saturday live show after she was forced to back out due to an injury.
The reality star, 29, confirmed she had fractured her ankle during rehearsals and would be unable to compete following last weekend’s launch show.
The BBC One ballroom competition show then announced that fellow Love island alum Amber Davies, 28, would be stepping into the breach to take her place in the line-up.
Despite only having two days’ worth of rehearsal to learn a dance for the first live show, Amber stepped up to the plate and knocked her waltz routine out of the park.
After performing her first dance with Nikita, Amber told host Claudia Winkleman how it still hadn’t sunk in that she had been parachuted into the programme.
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‘It started with the waltz crash course and then it was just full steam ahead from there,’ she said during the live show. ‘But everybody has been so welcoming, and this boy,’ she said looking at Nikita, ‘so thank you so much.’
Amber stepped in after Dani Dyer injured her ankle (Picture: BBC)
Nikita said he hoped he could finish his quickstep with Dani (Picture: BBC)
When Claudia came to Nikita, he took a moment to send a message to Dani after what he said had been an ‘overwhelming week’.
‘I, for the first time, was blanking during my choreography. It’s just been so quick,’ he said.
Nikita then added: ‘But to be honest, I just want to mention Dani. It was really, really a sad moment.
‘Dani, if you’re watching, I hope that we get to finish our quickstep one day and I love you loads.’
He continued: ‘And as well, Amber, I have so much respect for this. This is madness. You’re so great.’
He then joked: ‘I was unemployed for two days, and I cleaned my house seven times, and I applied for a Tesco Clubcard. So thank you, you saved me from all of that. You are incredible.’
Amber had just two days to prepare for the live show (Picture: Instagram/Amber Davies)
Nikita said it was a ‘really sad moment’ when Dani left the show (Picture: Instagram/Nikita Kuzmin)
He wasn’t the only one with warm words for Amber, as viewers at home were equally impressed with how the West End performer had managed to whip together the routine at such short notice.
Taking to X as the show aired, @steph4niie_ wrote: ‘This is absolutely beautiful and only with a couple days’ notice too?? Amber Davies the woman you are.’
@mchlrchr tweeted: ‘Amber Davies. What a treasure. To have performed THAT in what, 72 hrs of knowing she’s on the show. Incredible!’
‘Obviously amazing for Amber to be learning a dance last minute when the rest of the cast had two weeks but I also have SO much respect for Nikita too for choreographing and teaching someone else to dance in such little time,’ wrote @raggedydocs. ‘This is going to be a great partnership.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday and Sunday nights.
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