TV companies fighting to sign up Strictly's Bobby and Layton for tell-all shows

16 December 2023 , 21:05

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Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

Strictly Come Dancing finalists Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams have both been approached to make documentaries about the hurdles they have overcome in life.

Both men narrowly missed out to Ellie Leach on Saturday night, as the former Coronation Street actress became the youngest ever celebrity to lift the Glitterball trophy with her rumoured boyfriend Vito Coppla. But the future looks bright for both Bobby and Layon despite missing out on the top prize.

Independent production companies that create films for major TV channels including the BBC are fighting to sign the pair up following last night’s final. Pitches heard by the Sunday Mirror include EastEnders actor Bobby, 20, exploring the theme of parental loss and West End star Layton, 29, investigating what can be done to stop homophobia online.

Bobby was just five when his reality star mum Jade Goody died of cervical cancer in 2009 aged 27. Meanwhile, gay star Layton has told how he has struggled to deal with “overwhelming” trolling on social media.

Bobby with Jade and bro Freddie (Getty Images)

Bobby and Dianne on Strictly (BBC/Guy Levy)

A source said: “Bobby and Layton haven’t just won the hearts of the public, they have caught the eye of TV bosses with their emotional journeys on Strictly. There is already competition between terrestrial channels and it’s likely to spark a bidding battle.”

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

Bobby and Layton could follow in the footsteps of former Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who became the show’s first deaf star in 2021. This year, her documentary called Signs for Change – via Rogan TV and the BBC – helped viewers understand what it’s like to be deaf.

And Paralympian Ellie Simmons– Strictly’s first disabled contestant – also made a documentary with Flicker Productions and ITV. Finding My Secret Family followed her attempt to find her birth mother and examine how dwarfism influenced the decision to put her up for adoption.

Both Bobby and Layton cheered and Ellie and Vito were crowned the 2024 Strictly champions on Saturday night, with former soap star Ellie overcome with emotion as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced her as the winner of the BBC competition. Speaking about her win, a lost for words Ellie said: "I actually, genuinely cannot believe this," as a sobbing Vito said: "Don't talk to me." An amused Ellie said: "This is the first time I have seen him cry, for once you're crying more than me so this is for you, this is for you."

Nicola Fahey