EXCLUSIVE: Kerry Ellis, aka the ‘First Lady of the West End’, has given her true thoughts on the fierce debate about phone use in theatres17:57, 16 Jul 2026Updated 18:00, 16 Jul 2026Kerry Ellis, aka the ‘First Lady of the West End’, has given her thoughts on the debate about phones in theatres reignited by Amber Davies.‌Some days ago, former Love Island star Davies - currently treading the boards as Ella Woods in a touring production of Legally Blonde, revealed that she had asked for an audience member in Dublin who was filming the performance to be physically removed.‌It has reignited a long-standing debate - and now theatre supremo Kelly Ellis, 47 - the first British star to play Elpheba in Wicked both in the West End and on Broadway - has shared how she really feels about the hot topic.‌“People need to look up!”, the 47-year-old tells the Mirror. “Put their phones down, and look up! We’ve always battled with filming in theatres, and you can’t control that."But I think it’s more what it’s saying about society as a whole. We j need to live in the moment, rather than trying to constantly capture that moment. I see it at home with my two sons. Obviously, there’s an incoming ban on social media; which is great.‌“But my sons already have social media on their phones and we’re already in that battle.. So I think it’s a bigger problem than just live theatre - it’s turning up in various environments.”Admitting that she’s not found herself in a situation like Davies, Ellis does concede, “When you’re doing a show, it’s all about telling stories and connecting with each other, I think that can be so tricky when there are phones involved. It can be really tricky.”Davies' candid Instagram video addressing the incident on social media, reminding people "not to film at the theatre", was quickly shared on other social media platforms.‌Her video came during an interval of a show in Dublin, as she explained that one theatre-goer's actions had distracted the cast throughout the opening act. She said: "This is your daily reminder not to film at the theatre."Unfortunately tonight at the Bord Gáis we've got a beautiful audience, but there's just one woman in the front row who has been filming the entirety of Act One. It's had us all distracted."‌She went on: "It's ruined the morale of our wonderful eighth show on a Saturday night from selfish actions."The theatre star then revealed she had asked theatre staff to intervene before the second half began. "Hopefully she's not back for Act Two," she said. "I've asked, can she go so we can just enjoy ourselves."Fans ran to the former reality star’s defence. One person said: "Respect for Amber to singing/acting/being in the moment despite being filmed was still able to know EXACTLY where the filmer was sitting and kick them out."‌Of course, Davies is not the only star to draw attention to audiences ignoring the done thing and using their phones in theatres.A-lister Rosamund Pike stopped dead during an emotional moment in her performance of Inter Alia in the West End at the beginning of June, to call out one audience member who was breezily sending a text."You know who you are and I'm not going to single you out," she told one section of the stalls, returning to the stage at the end of the play to politely remind people of theatre etiquette.‌Pike said she hoped the offender was a doctor and that their message had been "very important", during an impromptu speech which drew shocked gasps, then cheers."I just wanted to say for anyone going to the theatre, it's a huge thing that we're trying to give you. I am trying to tell you a story, and I'm feeling you, and I hope you're feeling me too," said the Saltburn star.Kerry Ellis is involved in a musical audiobook of Following Jimmy Valentine. See here .Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .