Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amber Davies has clarified why she looked so distraught during Sunday’s results show.
The ex-Love Islander and West End performer, 29, joined the cast of the BBC competition last minute, replacing Dani Dyer as Nikita Kuzmin’s partner, 27, following a devastating ankle injury.
Amber – who has faced criticism for her previous West End dance experience giving her an ‘unfair advantage’ – landed in the bottom two due to at-home votes, despite high scores from the judges.
The other couple forced to perform again in the dance-off was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, and his dance partner Lauren Oakley, 34.
Speaking on It Takes Two, on Tuesday evening, Amber explained why she looked so glum during the results show: ‘It’s the humanity side of it because Jimmy loved Strictly.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
She continued: ‘And I just felt awful that it was us that had to be a part of them being knocked out.
‘I wasn’t sad because we were in the dance off, I was sad because I love him so much, and I love Lauren Oakley. Them as a team were amazing, and it’s just the worst feeling in the world.’
The two bottom couples danced to save themselves on Sunday, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas all choosing to save Amber and Nikita from elimination.
Anton Du Beke, who had the casting vote that week, said he agreed with the decision.
Consequently, Jimmy was eliminated, telling host Tess Daly of his time on Strictly: ‘I have absolutely loved my experience.
‘I can only say thank you very much for letting me have this experience, and to my daughters for pushing me to come here and do this.’
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Jimmy later expanded on his feelings to host Fleur East on It Takes Two: ‘I’m gutted. I was just getting into it! I think I had more to give, I think I was getting better.’
‘I definitely didn’t hit my peak yet – but it’s the name of the game,’ he added.
Lauren chimed in to say she was ‘really gutted’ too, having seen ‘so much potential’, and when the show then played a message from his wife and three daughters, both struggled to hold the tears back.
As Fleur asked him what his family had made of the experience, the former footballer began to answer before he paused and took a deep breath to compose himself, admitting ‘that was really emotional’ of the VT.
After some furious blinking, he was able to continue his answer, while Lauren later had to bring out a tissue and laughed as she apologised for crying when Jimmy checked in on her.
Amber also shared her thoughts on the results on Instagram after the show, writing: ‘A gut wrenching evening in the dance off, especially dancing against two of the most amazing people I’ve met on this experience, @official_jfhasselbaink & @laurenmayoakley
‘I feel extremely lucky & thankful to be able to experience Halloween week on strictly, but there will be two very special people missed.
‘If you voted for us really really thank you, I guess this week we aim for a come back week?! @nikita__kuzmin thank you for holding my extremely shaky hands extra tight.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
