Strictly’s Layton Williams hints vile trolls are targeting him for more than his dance background
STRICTLY star Layton Williams has hinted that the vile abuse he's getting from online trolls might be steeped in prejudice.
The West End star has been the competition front-runner from the beginning of the series thanks to his stage and screen day job.
Recent routines have been hailed as "perfection" and have seen him and pro partner Nikita Kuzmin score full marks from the show judges.
There have been calls for the show to change its recruitment policy with some claiming trained dancers have an "unfair advantage" and it's a "fix".
But Layton has kept his head down and worked hard to put on the best shows he can.
In a new interview with the Mail, he admits he isn't sure why there's such an outcry over him when past series have had celebs with similar dance backgrounds such as Ashley Roberts in 2018.
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He said: "Obviously, I was aware of the fact that it might have noise, but I definitely did not anticipate how much it has been because I am definitely not the first person to be in this position and I don't understand why it's shock horror news because I'm not the first and won't be the last, let's keep it moving, you know?
"From the very beginning, I've been like, cool, if people are going to expect a certain level, let's give them that and then some."
Not only has Layton performed at the highest level on stage but he's also been a hit on both the big and small screens starring in Everyone's Talking About Jamie and Bad Education, respectively.
The former is the true life tale of brave Jamie who, as a teen, pursued his dream of becoming a drag queen in the face of schoolyard bullies.
Despite the current bullying Layton is facing, he has an upbeat message for his haters ahead of the glittering finale.
He told us: “People are a little bit grumpy… I’m like, cheer up!
“It’s just a cheeky high kick, a flip and a lip! So just get into it.”
Layton and Nikita have lit up the dancefloor with a series of progressive, creative dances and the BBC Three actor has worn both skirts and trousers in doing so.
He added: “I was aware of the fact it might have some noise but we’ve been able to manage it and it’s not defining my journey.
“What’s defining my journey is what we’ve been able to do and who we’ve been able to inspire, not people that are keyboard warriors. They’re just a percentage.
“When I am out on the streets, it’s woah! I was shopping on Sunday in Selfridges doing my thing and the love, I tell you, is crazy.
“I’m going to look back on my Strictly journey and smile. I’m not going to be thinking about no trolls, let’s just say that.”
Among the trolls was one shining social media comment.
Layton was shocked to hear that Gene Kelly's widow had lauded his Charleston tribute to the Tinseltown dance icon.
He added: “It’s wild, isn’t it? My mum sent me that, it’s like Gene Kelly’s wife, what the hell!
“It’s really exciting and that was a big tick. It’s really special.
“Whatever happens in the final, happens. We are just so proud to have done everything that we’ve done
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“I just can’t wait to sit down one day and show the grand kids, look what I used to get up to! It’s beautiful.”
Layton will compete in the live final against Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
