Home / Arts and Entertainment / Strictly Defends Amber Davies Amid 'Ripped Off' Charleston Claims
Strictly Defends Amber Davies Amid 'Ripped Off' Charleston Claims
15 Dec
Summary
- Amber Davies performed a Charleston on Strictly Come Dancing.
- Critics accused Davies of copying a routine from her West End show.
- The BBC confirmed the routine was new but a 'nod' to Musicals Week.
Accusations have emerged claiming that Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amber Davies copied a Charleston routine performed on the show from her West End production of 'The Great Gatsby.' Davies and her professional partner, Nikita Kuzmin, received a perfect score for their Charleston during Musicals Week on December 6. This performance drew criticism from some viewers who noted similarities to Davies's routines in 'The Great Gatsby' earlier in 2025.
Addressing the controversy, Davies stated on a podcast that she had intentionally included a 'little easter egg' referencing the viral choreography from her musical theatre role. She felt it would be fitting given the show's Musicals Week theme. A spokesperson for the BBC corroborated this, clarifying that the Strictly routine was newly choreographed and that the connection to 'The Great Gatsby' was a brief, deliberate tribute rather than plagiarism.
Despite assurances, some viewers expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, questioning the fairness of Davies, a trained dancer with recent West End experience, performing a Charleston. Footage circulated comparing her Strictly dance to a performance from 'West End Live' in June, highlighting identical movements. Davies had previously acknowledged the criticism about her professional dance background, which she joined Strictly as a late replacement.
