A prominent body language expert, Judi James, has shed light on a potential undercurrent of tension and a nascent power struggle between Strictly Come Dancing couple Amber Davies and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, as the competition progresses into its third week. Her observations suggest that despite the glitz and glamour, their partnership might not be as seamless as it appears, even following the first elimination.

Judi James meticulously analyzed Amber's demeanor, noting a significant contrast in her body language depending on the situation. In front of the judges and host Claudia Winkleman, Amber displayed "self-diminishing rituals of an acutely nervous vulnerability." This included actions such as scrunching her shoulders, placing fingers over her lips, and offering a modest, sweet smile, indicating a degree of anxiety. However, a different Amber emerged during rehearsals, where she was seen "fizzing with energy and ideas," showcasing a more confident and proactive side.

Nikita Kuzmin's reactions and comments further fueled the expert's assessment of brewing tension. Judi pointed out that Nikita’s assertion, "She's doing really well," was delivered with a rising intonation, implying a question rather than a definitive statement. More tellingly, his comment, "She's trying to run before she can walk," explicitly hinted at a 'small power struggle'. At one point, Nikita was observed with one hand up, "pinching" his forehead, a gesture Judi interpreted as a sign of possible exasperation, indicating his frustration with Amber's approach.

The expert also highlighted instances where Amber's behavior suggested "over-confidence," which might have been a source of irritation for Nikita. For example, it was Amber who initiated the high-five after their dance. Judi noted that this gesture is typically performed by the professional dancer, as the celebrity usually waits nervously for reassurance and praise. This inversion of roles suggested a confidence level in Amber that diverged from typical celebrity contestant behavior.

Furthermore, Nikita's response to the judges' feedback seemed to lack the usual supportive stance one might expect from a professional partner. When Amber received constructive criticism, it was Nikita who was seen "nodding in emphatic agreement," rather than unequivocally defending or supporting his partner. Amber's own comment about training, "It was...interesting," served as a verbal hint of "some dramas behind the scenes." This prompted Nikita to turn his head and perform a non-verbal "aside" to the audience, complete with exaggerated face-pulling and a jutting bottom lip, mimicking a sulk. The dynamic was further illustrated when Nikita, in front of the judges, told Amber to "let's walk before you run," causing her smile to visibly drop.

Even after the results were announced, on the balcony, Judi identified "at least two 'tells' of a potential battle." Nikita positioned himself with a hand on his hip, creating a "barrier" between himself and Amber. More notably, he chose to place his hands onto Ross's shoulders, rather than hugging or touching Amber, further emphasizing a distance. Amber, for her part, seemed "very loudly comfortable" with her "Where do we start?" criticism of Nikita's singing.

Despite these signs of conflict, Judi James, like many viewers, believes that the couple possesses the potential to win the competition. However, she cautioned that this potential victory might not be accompanied by an enjoyable journey together. Judi suggested that their "Strictly experience will probably work best if Amber becomes human blotting paper, soaking up Nikita's coaching rather than pushing forward," implying that Amber might need to temper her independent streak for the partnership to truly flourish.