Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams will reportedly make history this weekend after being faced with backlash from viewers.
The 29-year-old West End performer topped the leaderboard last weekend after receiving an impressive 36 out of 40 on the second week of the BBC competition. However, his dance background has raised questions amongst some critics claiming he had an "unfair" start.
He hopes to take the attention away from the "fix" controversy when he takes to the dancefloor for this third routine by wearing a dress and heels. According to reports, Layton is determined to focus on being a "flamboyant" role model for anyone who finds him inspirational.
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The Bad Education actor was spotted wearing the footwear as he went through the steps for his Viennese Waltz to There Are Worse Things I Could Do from iconic 70s film Grease with his professional dance parter Nikita Kuzmin.
Layton told the Mirror he is trying to ignore the backlash, saying: “We forget that we are doing more than just dancing. We’re setting an example to people at home to be themselves. If I’m wearing something a bit more flamboyant, boys and girls watching at home could go, 'Mum, Dad, I think that’s like me! Is that OK?'
"Sometimes I forget that in the noise of the trolls. Actually, we should be thinking about the young kids.” Layton has previously worn frocks on stage and off, explaining: "I’ve always wanted to rock the heels, the gowns, the dress and now I just love it."
Layton has been plagued with claims that he has an unfair advantage over other celeb contestants in the show because of his previous dancing and choreography experience whilst on the stage. After making his debut on the West End, he studied street dance and drama at Carol Godby's Theatre workshop in Bury. He then went onto practise ballet at Centre Pointe in Manchester.
He was then awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School where he stayed until 2008, before going onto attend the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Lorraine Kelly couldn't help but press the actor and singer on his experience prior to competing in the popular ballroom competition.
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The TV personality replied: "No, it's a completely different vibe and people don't realise that, and clearly the comments from the judges, they explained that. The technicalities are very different to what I've known before and I have a lot to work on clearly still." Nikita also chimed in as he further explained how the specific ballroom and technique is more complicated than people realise, even for trained West End performers.
"And the thing is right now we are training in ballroom as well which is completely new and especially like it's two bodies moving together," he explained.
The professional dancer added: "It's something that you clearly have never done. We even try this to do chairs together. He can take a turn by himself." Layton said that he has an extra challenge as he is forced to break habits he learned as a dancer in order to succeed in the competition.
Strictly Come Dancing continues this weekend on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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