Claire Sweeney backs Layton Williams ahead of Strictly final, calling him a ‘force of nature’

Claire Sweeney has thrown her support behind West End star Layton Williams ahead of this weekend’s Strictly final.

The actress, 52, who appeared in the first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, resonated with the response Layton, 29, received due to his previous dancing background.

Layton, 29, reshared a clip a fan posted in which Claire talked about the expectations that she would be a good dancer because she had performed in Chicago.

The fan wrote: ‘Here’s a clip from the very first #Strictly episode referencing Claire Sweeney’s vast previous dancing experience. Strictly speaking, there has NEVER been a level playing field. So here’s your final reminder for the finale to LEAVE LAYTON ALONE!! #TeamLakita’.

Layton posted the clip to his own page and wrote: “Love this clip of my amazing aunt” (sic).

The actress, 52, who appeared in the first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, resonated with the response Layton, 29, received due to his previous dancing background

Claire responded with: “Wow, a blast from the past! You are a fantastic Layton and no matter what the outcome on Saturday, you and Nikita brought so much joy to our home every Saturday night.

‘You are a star and a force of nature. Keep shining, I’m proud of you. Aunt Claire’.

Layton responded by telling the actress that he can’t wait to see her compete in Dancing On Ice in January.

The actor dances in the final with his professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.

They will face Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell and Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.

A top West End theater star, Layton has fallen victim to online trolls who say he is too experienced at dancing to be in the show.

The former Billy Elliot artist has hinted that the hate could have been caused by his multiracial background and the fact that he is gay.

Layton, 29, re-shared a clip a fan posted of Claire talking about expectations that she would be a good dancer because she had performed in Chicago

Claire responded with: “Wow, a blast from the past! You are fantastic Layton and whatever the outcome on Saturday, you and Nikita have brought so much joy to our home.”

Claire took part in the first series of Strictly alongside John Byrnes and was eliminated in week five

Layton says the level of trolling is ‘shocking’ and admits that while Strictly has featured same-sex couples in the past, he is the first ‘queer’ contestant to fully express their ‘flamboyant’ personality on the ballroom floor .

Ahead of Saturday’s final, he said: “I was obviously aware that there might be noise, but I definitely didn’t expect how much it would be because I’m certainly not the first person to be in this position and I I don’t understand why this is shocking horror news, because I’m not the first and won’t be the last. Let’s keep it moving, you know?

“From the beginning I thought, cool, if people expect a certain level, let’s give it to them and then some.”

Layton – who starred in the West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – also claims that his critics only criticize him when he gets high scores and that his social media quieted down during the weeks when he received lower scores from the judges, such as when he danced. the Viennese waltz to There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease and received only 28 out of 40 points.

“It was hard, the pressure of feeling like you have to do well,” said Williams, who will face Ellie Leach, 22, and Bobby Brazier, 20, on Saturday in an attempt to lift the Glitterball Trophy to drag.

“Here’s the funny thing, no one goes hard and moans or complains when I’m rubbish… remember the Viennese Waltz? I didn’t get many tweets that week, did I! It’s only when you act cute that people want to put you down, and that’s fine, and we’ve managed to get around that.

“It didn’t define my journey. What has defined my journey is who we have been able to inspire, not people who are keyboard warriors, which is only a small percentage.”

Layton responded by telling the actress that he can’t wait to see her compete in Dancing On Ice in January

COME STRICTLY DANCE 2023: THE PROFILES OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely exciting to confirm that I will be taking part in Britain’s most iconic dancing competition! It’s time to take it to the ballroom. I’m so excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

Age: 22

Profession: Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to do Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine, so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

Age: 20

Profession: EastEnders star and model

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line-up, I can’t wait to start training as a professional dancer and add a few moves to my locker. I look forward to performing for everyone.”

Age: 57

Profession: Announcer and ex-tennis player

Annabel says: ‘I’ve always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and I’m looking forward to finding some joy in the process.’