Ex-Strictly judge hits back at pro saying it's 'not right' Layton is on show

13 December 2023 , 09:41

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BBC Strictly judge furiously defends Layton as ex-star says it's 'not right' pro dancer is on show

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has furiously hit back after former star James Jordan suggested it's 'not right' for pro dancer Layton Williams to be on the show's line up.

Professionally trained West End star Layton's appearance on Strictly has been under constant scrutiny, with the Bad Education actor bombarded with abuse from online trolls. Layton ,29, starred in the stage production of Billy Elliott and Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and has stunned the judges and viewers with his incredible performances on the BBC dance competition. But while James Jordan praised his skill, he questioned whether Layton's appearance is making a "mockery" of Strictly.

Strictly star Layton is a trained dancer (Dave Benett/Getty Images for PIM)

And now Arlene, 80, who has worked with Layton in the past, is rooting urging trolls to stop the "hate". She told The Mirror: "Unless the public gets behind Layton, he won't win, and in many ways, I think that's a tragedy because yes, he has danced but the force and the personality that Layton puts into it is his own." Addressing Layton's haters, she said: "Don't pick on Layton. Don’t pile on hate."

But ex Strictly pro James isn't sure, but still thinks that Layton's performances are some of the best he's "ever seen" on any Strictly competition.

He told Hello magazine: "I loved it, I watched it and thought oh my god that was epic, but does that make it right?"

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He asked whether having "fully-trained dancers" defeats the object of the show, saying future contestants will only stand a chance of winning if they're also professionals, and the current pros aren't even as talented. James added: "I’m not saying it makes a mockery of the show but it makes it a bit confusing. He is a professional dancer and we’re watching performances that none of the professionals on the show can do what he did."

But Arlene believes the criticism is unwarranted, saying: "It's no more unfair advantage than the other dancers that they’ve had on, such as the Pussycats' Ashley Roberts. They’ve had people who have come on before who’ve danced… there was always an anger from certain members of the public that they had danced before..."

Layton is partnered up with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin (BBC/Guy Levy)

Layton and Arlene go way back (Getty Images for SOLT)

She thinks the hate was unjustified as he is a “very special human being," adding: “There is no one I can think of who comes in with an attitude as positive as Layton’s. Whatever he is working on, nothing gets him down. He brings joy into a room and he is a truly beautiful human being.

"He is one of my favourite all-time people. I have to tell you. Am I biased about Layton? Completely. I want him to win. Because Layton has worked very hard for everything he has and everything he does and I can’t imagine one person I know that has worked with him who hasn’t just fallen in love with who Layton is.”

Amelia Ward