05 October 2023 , 17:37
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Layton Williams hopes to distract Strictly Come Dancing fans away from his previous dance experience by wearing a dress and heels as he performs in Movie Week.
The backlash over the musical theatre star being a professional dancer himself has ramped up after he topped the leaderboard on Saturday, with Layton admitting he’s having to work hard to ignore the “noise of the trolls”. Now the 29-year-old says he is determined to focus on being a “flamboyant” role model for any kids who find him inspirational.
In training with partner Nikita Kuzmin this week he was wearing women’s ballroom shoes as he went through the steps for his Viennese Waltz to There Are Worse Things I Could Do from iconic 70s film Grease. Layton says he is trying to ignore the backlash. “We forget that we are doing more than just dancing,” he explained. “We’re setting an example to people at home to be themselves.
Layton Williams and his professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin have been in the headlines (PA)
Now he has a plan to keep the attention on him - and not his CV"If I’m wearing something a bit more flamboyant, boys and girls watching at home could go, ‘Mum, Dad, I think that’s like me! Is that OK?’ Sometimes I forget that in the noise of the trolls. Actually, we should be thinking about the young kids.” Layton has worn frocks on stage and off, explaining: “I’ve always wanted to rock the heels, the gowns, the dress… and now I just love it.”
He has made it clear that he wants to be the first male contestant on the UK show to wear a dress, which has happened on many other versions of Strictly around the world. In the summer, a show insider revealed he was open to all wardrobe suggestions, saying: “He will have a chance to wear Strictly dresses, as well as the men’s sharp suits, when he performs.”
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He and Nikita scored a record-equalling 36 points for their Quickstep in week two, earning four 9s from the judges.
But former show star James Jordan declared that having Layton on the show “belittles” the professional dancers by making it look too easy. And EastEnders actress Michelle Collins agreed his inclusion was “not fair”.
Earlier this week Jordan moaned: “He is a fully trained, professional dancer. When they came out, you had essentially two professional dancers next to each other. “Let’s not say, ‘Oh it’s because [Layton’s] really talented and has worked really hard’. Because that kind of belittles our dancing world that someone can come out and be that good after a week’s training. You can’t.
“It was probably one of my favourite dances I’ve ever seen on the show - but that’s only because he’s a professional dancer.” Collins agreed, posting: “Sorry but he is a professional dancer it’s not fair! I love him but he’s great already.” Layton has been performing in the West End for over 16 years, starring in shows such as Billy Elliot the Musical, Hairspray, Rent, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. He has also trained in jazz, tap, and ballet.
But Ukrainian Nikita, 25, insisted he was “very proud” to be dancing with Layton, saying that getting the top score had felt “special”. And It Takes Two host Janette Manrara told the the pair: “You need to focus on the inspiration. Forget the negatives, focus on the beautiful comments.”