Amber Davies has shut down reports of a supposed backstage feud with her Legally Blonde understudy, Hannah Lowther, after illness forced her to step away from performances on the touring production.
The former Love Island winner, who plays Elle Woods in the stage adaptation of the 2001 film, addressed the rumours directly on Instagram on Thursday, praising Lowther and insisting the show is in safe hands while she recovers.
Speculation about tensions between the two performers began circulating earlier this week after a report suggested there had been a ‘backstage rivalry’ between the leading lady and her understudy, with some suggesting Lowther was ‘a million times better.’
Davies appeared keen to shut down that narrative.
Sharing a message on social media, the 29-year-old thanked Lowther for stepping in while she deals with ongoing illness.
‘An extra special appreciate message to @hannahlowther who has given me all the grace and space to be poorly and recover,’ she wrote.
‘The show is in safe hands ALWAYS.’
Davies revealed she is currently on sick leave and taking antibiotics as she attempts to recover from flu and a persistent cough that has been lingering for more than a month.
‘Cannot wait to be back on stage with my legally family,’ she wrote. ‘The DR has just given me a different set of antibiotics to get this cough gone (which has been lingering for over a month now… has anyone else had this)?!’
‘I’m very much doing everything I can to be back on stage as soon as I can! I haven’t had the flu since Covid which was six years ago!! So I knew it was coming to get me at some point.’
Davies had already been forced to leave Wednesday evening’s performance early after falling ill mid-show, with Lowther stepping in to perform the second half as Elle Woods.
The disruption continued the following day when the musical’s Thursday matinee performance at Milton Keynes Theatre was cancelled just two hours before curtain-up, leaving some fans frustrated.
The venue confirmed the cancellation in a statement shared on Instagram that read: ‘This afternoon’s matinee performance of Legally Blonde has unfortunately been cancelled due to cast illness.
‘All ticket holders have been contacted via email regarding alternative options to see the production or receive a refund.
‘This evening’s performance will go ahead as scheduled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.’
Lowther, who is trained at the Italia Conti Academy and has built a following of more than 1.3 million on TikTok, later confirmed that she would be stepping into the lead role for the evening show.
‘I will be playing Elle for this evening’s show,’ she told fans on Instagram Stories.
Understudies typically perform the role of Elle Woods during Thursday matinees on the tour, but it is believed the afternoon performance was cancelled to allow Lowther time to rest before taking on the evening show.
Davies had previously opened up about the intense run of work that may have contributed to her illness, explaining that a packed schedule — including her appearance in The Great Gatsby, a last-minute call-up to Strictly Come Dancing, and immediately beginning rehearsals for Legally Blonde, had taken a toll on her health.
Despite the disruption, the star said she is determined to recover quickly and return to the stage.
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.
