Strictly Come Dancing 2023 hasn’t even begun yet, but one performer is eager to put an end to the ‘fix’ rumours.
Layton Williams was one of the first contenders to be unveiled as part of this series’ excellent lineup.
When the glittering BBC dance competition returns to our screens this fall, the Bad Education actor, 28, will join Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Les Dennis, and Adam Thomas.
He has, however, previously been accused of undue advantage.
Given Layton’s acting experience, several Strictly fans assumed he had’studied’ dance, which he quickly denied before the suspicions could spread.
Taking to Twitter, the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie actor responded to a tweet that read: ‘not a dance expert as such but I am a dancer and know for a fact he will have studied ballroom and/or latin to some degree’.
Layton wrote back: ‘Lemme clear up this *fact* real quick.
‘I had my 1st introduction to Ballroom & Latin class in rehearsals yesterday (along with the rest of the @bbcstrictly cast) and it was so much fun xxx’
A troll then tweeted him: ‘Here’s hoping you get dumped out week one.’
Putting them firmly in their place, though, Layton penned back: ‘No one gets voted out week 1 luckily’.
Layton has had a number of significant parts during his career, including the lead in Billy Elliot at the age of 12.
He went on to appear in additional theatre shows such as Hairspray and Rent.
Lemme clear up this *fact* real quick. I had my 1st introduction to Ballroom & Latin class in rehearsals yesterday (along with the rest of the @bbcstrictly cast) and it was so much fun 🤗 xxx https://t.co/g8apXHrNiz
— Layton Williams (@LaytonWilliams) August 12, 2023
Layton appeared on television as Stephen Carmichael in the Jack Whitehall comedy Bad Education, as well as in The Cleaner with Greg Davis and I Hate Suzie.
Despite having some dancing experience, Layton admits to being ‘very apprehensive’ owing to his lack of professional training.
It is unknown who Layton’s professional partner would be this season, however it was previously said that he was being considered for the fifth same-sex coupling.
Nicola Adams and Kayta Jones were the first same-sex couple to be on Strictly in 2020, however they were forced to withdraw owing to Covid-19.
However, the following year, in a truly great year for representation, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe made it all the way to the final and ended in second place.
Then, in 2022, we had two same-sex couples for the first time: Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer, and Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice.
A source recently said: ‘This year, everyone is hoping for a same-sex couple who can go the distance.’
‘Layton is a phenomenal performer and the pros will probably queue up to work with him,’ they added to The Mirror.
Only time will tell…
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
