14 December 2023 , 20:04
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Shirley Ballas has admitted she is delighted Layton Williams has made it to the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing final, despite previously voting to send him home earlier in the series.
Appearing on Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two this evening, head judge Shirley delivered her verdict on the three couples preparing to battle it out on the dancefloor this weekend. The professional dancer also revealed the name of her new grandson following her son Mark Ballas becoming a father earlier this month.
Joining It Takes Two host Janette Manrara in the show's BBC studio, Shirley excitedly shared the name her son Mark has picked for his new bundle of joy, Banksi Wylde Ballas, before moving on to discuss the all-important matter of this year's Strictly final.
Jeanette kicked off the discussion by reminding Shirley she may be dubbing Layton "dance royalty" these days but "in week 10 you actually voted to send him out of the competition."
Shirley Ballas discussed the final three couple on It Takes Two this evening (BBC)"I certainly did," Shirley admitted as she recalled the moment she could have cut Layton's time on Strictly short. The infamous vote occurred just one week before the quarter-final, when Angela Scanlon found herself in the dreaded dance-off with her professional dancer partner Carlo Gu.
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The Irish TV presenter was the one to be sent home following Shirley's three fellow judges opting to save Layton and his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin. Speaking on It Takes Two this evening, Shirley explained her reasons for disagreeing with her co-stars when it came to decided to who went home that week.
"I am delighted he is still part of the competition," Shirley admitted when chatting about Layton's Strictly journey. "When I had to almost vote him off - and he's lucky that the other three saved him - it was without fear or favour. It was an American Smooth - it wasn't how I have taught American Smooth for 50 years. There were lots of things and elements that were missing. But I am glad that he is here now and I am very, very excited to see him in the final."
Joining Layton and Nikita join EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and his dance partner Dianne Buswell and former Coronation Street star Ellie Leech and Vito Coppola in making up the trio of Strictly finalist couples this year. After 12 weeks of competition, all three couples will take to the BBC dancefloor one final time this weekend and do their best to be crowned this year's champion and lift the Glitterball trophy.
*Watch the Strictly Come Dancing grand final on Saturday 16 December from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.