EXCLUSIVE: Amber Davies hits back at claims she has an ‘unfair advantage’ on Dancing On Ice as she says her West End training is useless
Amber Davies has hit back at claims she has an unfair advantage on Dancing On Ice because of her dancing background.
The former Love Island contestant, 27, who stars in the ITV series alongside pro partner Simon Proulx-Senecal, trained in musical theater at London’s Urdang Academy before landing a job as a dancer at Cirque Le nightclub Soir. .
The West End star is currently starring as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical as she hits the road in Britain and Ireland, but has insisted her background becomes useless when it comes to ‘balancing on two sheets’.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, as she runs an awareness campaign with Malibu to boost the drink, Amber admitted it’s ‘going to be tough.’
The actress explained: ‘I don’t think people will think that because, to be honest, I already had to throw away half of my dance training in skating!’
Speaking out: Amber Davies, 27, has hit back at claims she has an unfair advantage on Dancing On Ice because of her dancing background
Career: The former Love Island contestant, who stars in the ITV series alongside professional partner Simon Proulx-Senecal, trained in musical theater at London’s Urdang Academy
She continued, “Everything about dancing is keeping your legs straight and you have to let go when you’re on the ice.
‘The only quality I have is that I can perform. I’ll be able to tell the story whether it’s a sad number or a happy number, but beyond that it’s going to be difficult.
“But I have a feeling people will sympathize. Ultimately you balance on two wheels. I don’t think it matters what training you have.’
Discussing how rehearsals are going so far, Amber said: “So far it’s so basic, but it’s skating backwards! I was so confident that I would continue.
“As soon as Simon said let’s go back, and because I don’t know where I’m going and every rink I’ve been to has been different, I get the anxiety so much!
‘At the end of today’s session I actually only skated backwards and that’s a big achievement for me!’
The stellar line-up of celebrities set to appear in the 2024 ITV series includes pro boxer Ricky Hatton, actress Claire Sweeney, comedian Lou Sanders, BBC radio presenter Adele Roberts, Olympic ski jumper Eddie Edwards and more to see.
In addition to her appearances on Dancing On Ice and Pretty Woman: The Musical, Amber has partnered with Malibu rum as part of their new I Got You BABES campaign to create five simple steps you can take if someone you know has a gets a point.
Not Helpful: She is currently starring as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical, but has insisted her background is useless when it comes to ‘balancing on two sheets’ (pictured with Simon Proulx-Senecal)
Difficult: The actress explained: ‘I don’t think people will think that because, to be honest, I already had to throw away half of my dance training in skating!’
Following her stint on Love Island in 2017, she fell victim to a horrific ordeal during a night out at the pub with friends in North Wales.
The campaign is rooted in looking after your friends and supporting each other on a night out.
Amber said she was lucky as her cousin happened to be in the pub opposite and the emergency services were called straight away.
She told MailOnline: ‘Everyone knows what to do if there is a fire: you go to a safe space. So it is also good to know for this situation.’
“If I had received this message years ago, the situation might have been different.”
Search Malibu I Got You BABES to learn more about the campaign and find resources to learn more about dealing with surge situations.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former professional boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”
HANNA SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RIAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing it?’ I told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can keep them in check.”
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
NICE SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’