Layton Williams of Strictly Come Dancing has said that the BBC is open to introducing a trans participant in future seasons.
This season, the 29-year-old Bad Education actor has captured the hearts of the audience as he teams up with Nikita Kuzmin and joins Angela Rippon and Adam Thomas on the Strictly ballroom.
Layton pushed the envelope still further in their most recent performance, earning plaudits for donning a skirt in their Viennese waltz dance to the Grease soundtrack.
And, having previously discussed what it means to him to be a member of a same-sex marriage, Layton has now disclosed that BBC executives are willing to accept a trans competitor.
In an chat with Metro.co.uk, when asked if he’d been keen to watch a trans contestant dance on the show next year the West End performer said: ‘That would be beautiful.
‘I think producers are open to all beautiful people from all walks and that would be superb.’
Layton also hinted that he will be pushing further limits in the following week, to which Nikita responded, ‘Yeah, the most important thing is that Layton is pleased.’
‘And we felt the love from the community,’ Layton added, recalling how fans hailed them at a recent performance at the Attitude Awards.
He went on to remark that many admirers, particularly parents of small children, have commended him for the portrayal on film.
Layton told us: ”A parent said something like “my 2-year-old boy just goes, the boys, the boys!”
‘He gets excited when we’re on, which is so cute.
‘Kids are so cute, they just see past anything and are so open-hearted with things like that.
‘I’ve had teachers and parents just thank me for being that shining light to them.
‘It’s been a really fab couple of weeks taking in that information and has given me the pump I needed.’
Meanwhile, Nikita, who was teamed with Paralympian Ellie Simmonds last year, told us that being in a same-sex relationship was something he had always wanted to do after seeing John Whaite and Johannes Radebe reach the final just two years ago.
He said: ‘To be honest, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do on the show, ever since I saw John and Johannes.
‘They were absolutely fabulous, an iconic partnership.
‘I was just like, I would like the same opportunity, and it’s been amazing so far. A dream come true!’
‘I keep getting told by the camera crew to wear more clothes,’ he said, discussing the outfits he wears to stay cool and flexible during rehearsals in the week.
‘In the training room, they’re like, “We’re seeing a lot of things”. But this is how I feel comfortable. I’ve got my jock strap on, it’s the BBC.’
Speaking to the mirror, Layton claimed that ‘everything is lovely and tight and together,’ telling the Strictly team that they need not worry.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: ‘Contestants can wear what they feel most comfortable in whilst rehearsing and in the training room.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One.
