Strictly’s Layton Williams divides the panel with his ‘heavy’ Jive after being hit by an injury scare during rehearsals
Strictly Come Dancing’s all male pairing divided the judging panel with their ‘heavy’ Jive during Saturday’s show, despite scoring a solid 36 points.
Layton Williams, 29, looked thrilled with the outcome after judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse both scored the pair with 10s.
Layton and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, 25, performed an electric Jive to Shake Ur Body by SHY FX and T.Power feat. Di.
The scores came after a problematic week where Nikita was unable to rehearse on Wednesday due to a knee injury.
Despite the challenging week, the pair were able to rise to the occasion and set the bar high for other contestants.
Thrilled: Strictly Come Dancing’s all male pairing divided the judging panel with their ‘heavy’ Jive during Saturday’s show, despite scoring a solid 36 points
Jive: Layton and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, 25, performed an electric Jive to Shake Ur Body by SHY FX and T.Power feat. Di
Head judge Shirley Ballas told Layton: ‘We’re at the half way mark and I can tell you have spent time on your precision. You added who you are within the routine. I thought it was absolutely outstanding.’
Anton Du Beke said: ‘It’s extraordinary what you do, but I am watching a Jive as well. Towards the end it got a little heavy in the Jive kick. I have to be honest with you, am I nitpicking? Probably. But it’s because you’re so good. It was great but not your best’.
Craig Revel-Horwood said he agreed with Anton’s critcism.
Layton’s high score comes after his co-stars vented their frustration at having to compete against the West End star as they land consistently near the top of the leaderboard.
It has been a tough week for the pair after Nikita had to miss out on Wednesday’s rehearsal due to knee injury.
Nadiya Bychkova, 34, stepped in to dance with Layton so he could practice the jive, while Nikita had to watch by the sidelines.
The professional dancer was pictured leaving the studios wearing a knee brace but was back dancing on Thursday.
It comes following the news that Strictly Come Dancing stars are becoming increasingly frustrated at having to compete against professional West End star Layton The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Injured: The scores came after a problematic week where Nikita was unable to rehearse on Wednesday due to a knee injury
Scores: Head judge Shirley Ballas told Layton: ‘We’re at the half way mark and I can tell you have spent time on your precision… I thought it was absolutely outstanding’
Notes: Anton Du Beke said: ‘It’s extraordinary what you do, but I am watching a Jive as well. Towards the end it got a little heavy in the Jive kick. I have to be honest with you, am I nitpicking probably? But it’s because you’re so good. It was great but not your best’
The trained dancer has scored 39 out of 40 from judges in week four and five.
Yet he has been performing on stage since he was 12, when he played the title role in the West End musical Billy Elliot.
A Strictly insider has told of the anger and upset Layton is so vastly more experienced than other contestants, saying he’s at least at the same level as his professional partner, Nikita, which ‘goes against the spirit of the show’.
The source said: ‘Of course there have always been dancers of different standards on Strictly, that’s part of the show’s greatness.
‘But this is ridiculous, he is as good or even better than his professional partner. There is such an uneven playing field here that it is impossible for any of the other contestants to have a chance of winning, even if the viewers do enjoy watching a celebrity’s journey.
‘While there might not be a rule that professional dancers can’t take part, it absolutely goes against the spirit of the show.
‘Look at someone like Krishnan Guru-Murthy, he has built up a huge fan base and is wonderful to watch, and Angela Rippon. But they are blown out of the water each week by someone who is a professional dancer.’
A Strictly spokesperson declined to comment.
Controversy: Layton’s high score comes after his co-stars vented their frustration at having to compete against the West End star as they land consistently near the top of the leaderboard
Powering through: It has been a tough week for the pair after Nikita had to miss out on Wednesday’s rehearsal due to knee injury
Dancing feet: The professional dancer was pictured leaving the studios wearing a knee brace but was back dancing on Thursday
A Strictly insider told MailOnline Layton ‘is not the first person with dance experience’ to have appeared on the show [others include Kimberley Walsh, Maisie Smith and Abbey Clancy].
They added he ‘has never been trained in Latin and ballroom and was booked because he has a fantastic persona’.
Williams’ appearance on Strictly comes five years after pop star Ashley Roberts was lambasted by Strictly fans for having an unfair advantage, because she had studied dance in her youth.
The Pussycat Dolls singer repeatedly found herself in the bottom two because viewers took against her. The backlash, which repeatedly reduced her to tears, was so ferocious that even host Tess Daly appealed to those voting to ‘cut her a little slack.’
Competition: Layton’s high score comes after his co-stars vented their frustration at having to compete against the West End star as they land consistently near the top of the leaderboard
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing 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 like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have 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 looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’