Layton and Nikita 'knackered' and 'nervous' ahead of Strictly semi-final
Strictly Come Dancing is entering the semi-finals and show favourites, actor Layton Williams and professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, are not resting on their laurels despite getting the first perfect 40 of the series for their Paso Doble the previous week.
This stunning dance came after the pairing were dumped into the bottom two the week previous and were saved by judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas after the dreaded dance-off. Layton and Nikita have updated fans with their progress this week and have admitted that they are "knackered" after an intense week of rehearsals, especially as they have to perform two dances this time, for a place in the Strictly final.
In a video posted on their Instagram pages, Layton and Nikita are seen taking time out from their schedule to address their fans directly. Nikita begins by saying: "Hey guys, a little update, we are knackered, we are tired but it is two dances, it's the semi-finals and long, long hours. We are pushing, we're giving everything we can because this week, even if you're on top of the leaderboard you can still go on the bottom two."
Layton, 29, agreed with the precarious position all the celebrities are in when it comes to just four left in the competition, adding: "It doesn't matter." Nikita continued the update, saying: "So, we're trying to give our all, we're pushing for us, for our families, for you guys and we are trying to really give our best and shoot our shot."
Bad Education star then spoke about how they were "buzzing" after last week's dance. He said: "We are shooting out shot - don't be tired, be inspired, came back from the bottom two and got our perfect 40 which we are so buzzing about and not just gonna see what happens for the semi-finals." Nikita added: "Nervous but hey, let's keep pushing."
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likenessStrictly fans believe that the pair face an uphill task to reach the final as they have to perform a couple of the most demanding routines going. Layton and Nikita face the Rumba and the Charleston and fans have labelled it a "death sentence" on their chances of lifting the Glitterball Trophy.
Taking to social media, one fan wrote: "A Layton and Nikita Rumba and Charleston, that is literally all I could have wanted, just hope this rumba isn't a death sentence like it is for so many other contestants. If done right I think it could be really beautiful."
With some taken aback by the pole element of the routine and last week Layton has had his say, shutting down critics with a simple three-word question, as he asked trolls: "Why shouldn't we?"
When asked about criticism from former Strictly professionals Brendan Cole and James Jordan over a pole-based routine on last week's episode of the BBC One show, Layton said: "I feel like we've always come out and kind of like done something potentially a little bit more out there pushing the boundaries... we've thrown in this and that... and there's always an element of surprise. Why shouldn't we be swinging from poles and living our best lives? It went down pretty (well) if you ask me so I'm really proud and I stand by it, it's also a couple's choice. Get into it."