Strictly’s Layton Williams addresses ‘unfair’ trained dancer backlash
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro turned It Takes Two Choreography Corner presenter Joanne Clifton has tipped West End star Layton Williams to win this year’s show.
Calling him the “obvious” one to win, she said: “He is obviously a trained dancer, however, this does not mean anything.
“He may be able to pick up steps a bit quicker than someone who has no experience, but that isn’t necessarily the case.”
“It will still feel completely new to him. I do think he’s going to be great,” she predicted in a chat with Betway.
Layton, 29, is paired with Ukrainian-Italian dancer Nikita Kuzmin, 25, and they made their debut last week, dancing the Samba to Touch by Little Mix which garnered them 29 points from the judges.
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They received a standing ovation for the performance and the crowd were on their feet, with presenter Tess Daly telling Layton: “Your mum will be so proud of you!”
However, their efforts only resulted in joint second place on the board with three other couples.
Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and partner Vito Coppolla, EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and partner Dianne Buswell, and Sherlock star Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice all received 29 points from the judges also.
The leaderboard was topped by Nigel Harman and his partner Katya Jones with a whopping 32 points for their Paso Doble.
The judges were blown away by their performance, with Anton du Beke telling the former soap star, “You stole the night, sir.”
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Even the famously pithy Craig Revel Horwood was complimentary saying: “I tell you what, I wouldn’t want to be in the competition with you around, darling.”
Prior to the start of the contest Layton was forced to defend himself against claims that his musical theatre background gave him an advantage in the show.
Speaking to the press at a Strictly roundtable event ahead of his debut, he was asked about his previous dance endeavours. “Yeah, well, of course, there’s going to be moments that will feel more comfortable being in the rehearsal room and use and dancing and stuff like that,” he said.
“However, I can’t stress enough how different [it is]. It’s like a plumber trying to be an electrician. I don’t even know what them two things are, but it’s just not the same.”
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One tonight at 6.20pm. Joanne Clifton was talking to chat with Betway.
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