Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin breaks down in tears as he pays tribute to Layton Williams during emotional semi-final
STRICTLY'S Nikita Kuzmin broke down in tears as he paid tribute to Layton Williams during an emotional semi-final.
The remaining four couples performed twice on tonight's live show in a bid to make it through to next week's final.
After each couple danced their second routine, Claudia Winkleman asked the celebrity's pro why they should be in the final three.
When it came to Layton, his pro partner Nikita was choked up from the beginning, especially as they had just received a perfect score of 40 for their incredible Charleston.
With his arm around him, he said: "Ooh an emotional question and I'm already an emotional girl.
"I know he makes it seem easy but you are the most hard working person I've been in the room with.
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"You try to bring joy to everyone no matter what happens outside or what happens in your personal life, which I'm not going to go into that. You always bring joy."
Nikita teared up as he looked at Layton and continued: "But especially....I see you cry you're making me cry...but you make me shine with how much you are shining."
As he struggled to get his words out, he continued: "Honestly you're one of my best friends and this is just so special, I would love to have my first final with you."
The pair then hugged tightly, while Strictly fans took to X - formerly Twitter - to discuss the emotional moment.
One wrote: "Aw Nikita you sweet bean."
Another added: "Nikita saying “you make me shine” to Layton, I burst into tears."
A third tweeted: "Proper tears for Layton and Nikita, maybe my favourite partnership of all time, and definitely one of the most special - their friendship has been such a joy to watch all series, and I so hope that’s enough to make the final."
Meanwhile a fourth shared: "I’m in tears. you guys. epic, amazing, inspiring and so much more. no words. all the love in the world for
@kuzmin__nikita and @LaytonWilliams."
The pair ended the show topping the leaderboard after everyone's scores from last week were combined into tonight's points.
Strictly airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.