Honestly, if you told someone back in 2017 that the girl winning Love Island would eventually be sharing a stage with Corbin Bleu or getting personal advice from Dolly Parton, they might have laughed you out of the room. But that’s the thing about Amber Davies. She didn't just take the reality TV fast-track and fade away into a sea of fast-fashion sponsorships. She actually put in the work.
You’ve probably seen her face pop up on your screen more than once over the last few years, but it’s easy to lose track of exactly where she’s been. Was she the one on the ice? Was she the one in the sitcom? Most people get her TV trajectory a bit mixed up because she’s managed to bridge the gap between "reality star" and "legitimate actor" better than almost anyone else from that era.
The Reality Roots: Where It All Began
Everyone knows the starting point. Love Island 2017. Amber and Kem Cetinay basically became the nation’s sweethearts for a hot minute. They won the show, took the prize money, and then—in classic fashion—split up about four months later. But for Amber, that wasn't the end of the road with ITV.
She immediately pivoted. You might remember her briefly as the entertainment editor on GMB Today, or maybe you caught her on And They're Off! in 2018. She was doing the usual rounds: Celebrity Ghost Hunt, CelebAbility, and Pointless Celebrities. It’s that standard "fresh out of the villa" circuit. But while she was filming those panel shows, she was secretly plotting a return to her musical theatre roots.
The Documentary That Changed Everything
The most pivotal of all tv shows with amber davies isn't actually a competition. It’s the 2019 documentary Amber & Dolly: 9 to 5. This was a huge deal. It followed her as she prepared for her West End debut as Judy Bernly. The show didn't just stay in London; it actually flew her out to Nashville to meet Dolly Parton.
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Seeing Amber sit down with a legend like Dolly was a bit of a surreal moment for fans. It proved she wasn't just another influencer looking for a cameo. She was terrified, she was vulnerable, and she was clearly talented. That documentary really served as the "rebrand" that allowed her to transition into serious stage work.
Breaking Into Scripted TV
A lot of people actually miss her scripted work. In 2021, she landed a recurring role in the CBBC series Almost Never. She played Jess in the final series of the show. It’s a comedy-drama about a boy band, and while it’s aimed at a younger audience, it was her first real "acting-acting" gig on camera.
It’s a different vibe seeing her deliver lines in a character's voice rather than just being "Amber from Wales." She’s got a natural timing that works well for television. While theatre has definitely been her main squeeze, Almost Never proved she could hold her own on a set without the safety net of a live audience.
The Big Competition Comebacks
Fast forward to 2024, and Amber decided to lace up the skates. Dancing on Ice is notoriously one of the hardest reality shows to do. You can’t really fake it on the ice. She was paired with Simon Proulx-Sénécal and, honestly, she was a bit of a powerhouse.
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She was getting top scores early on—I remember her Kylie Minogue routine being particularly impressive—but the competition was brutal. She ended up finishing in 5th place, just missing out on the final. People were pretty divided on her time there; some felt the judges were too harsh, while others thought her dance background gave her an unfair advantage.
The Strictly 2025 Surprise
The real plot twist happened in late 2025. Amber was called in as a last-minute replacement for Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing after Dani had to withdraw due to a fractured ankle.
Talk about a high-pressure situation. She had less time to train than anyone else, yet she and her partner Nikita Kuzmin absolutely smashed it. They made it all the way to the semi-finals and eventually finished as runners-up. Seeing her go from the Love Island villa to the Strictly ballroom felt like a full-circle moment for her career.
What’s Next for Amber Davies?
As of 2026, Amber is currently the face of the Legally Blonde UK tour, playing the iconic Elle Woods. If you’re looking for her on TV right now, you’re mostly going to find her in guest spots and interviews discussing the tour.
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- The Podcast Scene: She’s also been hosting Call to Stage, which is her own podcast. It’s technically digital media, but it’s where she does her best "TV-style" interviewing, chatting with West End stars about the reality of the industry.
- The Kardashian Connection: Here’s a weird bit of trivia for you—she actually appeared in a background capacity on Keeping Up with the Kardashians (the newer Hulu version) when Kim Kardashian visited the West End.
A Summary of Her Key TV Appearances
If you want to binge-watch her career, here is the rough roadmap:
- Love Island (2017): The origin story.
- Amber & Dolly: 9 to 5 (2019): The West End transition.
- Almost Never (2021): Her scripted debut.
- Dancing on Ice (2024): The skating era.
- Strictly Come Dancing (2025): The runner-up finish that solidified her status.
She’s managed to avoid the "reality TV curse" by being incredibly picky about what she says yes to. You won't find her doing every single "celebrity gets stuck in a jungle" type show. Instead, she’s leaned into her training.
If you're looking to catch her live, your best bet is to check the Legally Blonde tour dates for 2026 and 2027. She’s currently touring the UK and Ireland, and by all accounts, her Elle Woods is a must-see. If you prefer the screen, her documentary is still the best insight into how she actually made this career jump happen. Keep an eye on BBC iPlayer for those Strictly repeats, as her Waltz with Nikita is still one of the most talked-about routines from the recent series.