15 December 2023 , 18:21
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Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams revealed he was 'shook' when Craig Revel Horwood gave him and Nikita Kuzmin a standing ovation.
During Saturday night's semi-final. the 29-year-old actor and his 25-year-old dance partner received a perfect 40 for the second week in a row after performing their version of Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor's dance to Fit as a Fiddle. The incredible performance had Craig giving the duo a standing ovation.
As impressing the judge is famously difficult, it's no surprise Layton was shocked at the high praise. Appearing on Strictly: It Takes Two on Thursday night, the Bad Education actor revealed: "I didn't know what was going to come out of his mouth," before saying he was 'shook'. The West End star continued: "It was the biggest pat on the back."
Craig gave the duo a standing ovation (BBC)Layton and Nikita received a 40 the week before when they performed a Paso doble to Moulin Rouge! hit track Backstage Romance. After their performance last week, the widow of legendary actor Gene Kelly was left so impressed by Layton's performance, that she took to social media to congratulate him.
On the back of seeing their performance for which they were awarded the perfect score, Patricia Kelly has given Layton and his professional dance partner Nikita her backing - for the world to see. Taking to Facebook, Patricia who married the star famed for his role in Singin' in the Rain, wrote: "A lovely nod to Gene and Donald by Layton and Nikita with their Charleston on Strictly Come Dancing. Gene always said ‘Don’t imitate me. Take what I did and go beyond. I think these two mastered that."
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Layton and Nikita danced to Fit as a Fiddle (PA)Meanwhile, Layon revealed the online trolls haven't been bothering him in the slightest. He said he already feels like a winner because he’s reached the very end. “I’ve managed to take it all on the chin and take the positives from all of it. No matter what happens, I feel like I wanna leave with my head held high feeling super proud. We’ve managed to do so much and it’s exceeded all of my expectations. To win would be the most unbelievable achievement.”
He explained that he and his dance partner were using the positivity from those who felt inspired by them as a duo - rather than the haters. “We’re using it as ammo, to say ‘we deserve to be here’. Being here is inspiring so many people to be themselves, to not necessarily feel that they need to fit the norm. That’s the biggest thing I’ll take from it.”