Strictly Come Dancing: Amber Davies delivers dance of the series… but not without raised eyebrows

It was hard to say who stole the show during Week 11’s Musicals Week – Amber Davies or Paddington Bear. 

Both brought the house down with their performances and both, crucially, are West End musical stars. In Paddington’s case, appearing alongside McFly’s Tom Fletcher to sing a number from the critically acclaimed Paddington: The Musical, this raised no eyebrows. For Davies, however, it very much did.

The Welsh Love Island winner stepped in at short notice for Dani Dyer, and the reaction was instant. Since leaving the villa, Davies has built a serious West End career, appearing in Pretty Woman, The Great Gatsby and Back to the Future. Her Charleston to a Guys and Dolls number was undeniably sensational – Anton Du Beke even suggested it might be the best Strictly dance of all time. But for viewers who dislike contestants with prior dance experience, it will have confirmed their suspicions. “You’re destined for the West End,” said head judge Shirley Ballas, pointedly. In Davies’s VT, her “love of the West End” was mentioned repeatedly, without ever addressing the obvious: Strictly is an amateur dance competition.

Beyond Davies, the night delivered several surprises: a shaky salsa from soap actor Lewis Cope, previously immaculate; a series-high 35 for EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, fresh from a record fifth dance-off; Karen Carney wavering; and George Clarke shining, though still a shade behind the frontrunners. As for Davies, the public will now decide her fate. At least tonight she had the chance to remind everyone exactly why she is a West End performer.

See below for how Musicals Week unfolded – and do share your thoughts on Davies, on Paddington, or anything else, in the comments.