Viewers of Strictly Come Dancing are furious after Layton Williams’ Blackpool routine.
Don’t worry, they’re not mad at him or his partner Nikita Kuzmin, but rather at one judge in particular.
West End star Layton, 29, has demonstrated week after week that he is a true dance icon, topping the leaderboard on several occasions and receiving numerous 10s from the panel.
After scoring 39 with his Argentine tango last week, which fans were furious didn’t get 40, the nation was convinced this week would be his week for a perfect total.
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
The Bad Education actor performed a couple’s choice to Christina Aguilera’s Ain’t No Other Man and gave us scenes. Strictly has yet to complete its 20th season.
Head judge Shirley Ballas dubbed the theatre star and his partner, 25, “creative geniuses” for their pole-based routine, which brought the heat to the Tower Ballroom.
Layton, who even dyed his hair blonde for the occasion, looked incredible as he and Nikita flung themselves around the pole in matching bedazzled corsets.
While three of the judges gave the pair a 10, Craig Revel Horwood gave them a 9, resulting in an overall score of 39.
Before they revealed their scores, Craig told Layton: ‘This is a little bit of a dilemma for me because I loved it, number one, but it wasn’t entirely in sync.’
Boos from both the audience and other cast members completely drowned out the show’s resident Mr Nasty.
He went on: ‘That being said, you are one of the most incredible dancers that I have seen on this show over the 20 years I’ve been doing it.’
Head judge Shirley complimented the actor and said: ‘Well, you know, for me, it takes a lot, really, to impress me, but this really is creative genius.’
Layton’s other Strictly contestants chanted ’40,’ upset that he didn’t earn Craig’s 10 paddle.
Strictly fans took to social media following the stunning score to voice their outrage, claiming that Craig ‘hates’ Layton or is even ‘jealous’ of her.
One vented: ‘me when i fight craig over layton because PLEASE just give that boy the 40 he deserves’.
Another blasted: ‘#Strictly absolutely sick of Craig tonight, Angela deserved a 10, Ellie deserved a 10, Layton deserved a 10. It’s a complete joke that he’s under marked all three of them!’
Others branded Craig a ‘bitter judge’ while one asked: ‘what does layton have to do for craig to give him a 10? backflip off of big ben and land in the splits?’
‘Don’t know who peed in Craig’s cornflakes this morning,’ tweeted one fan, while another said he is now simply ‘asking for too much’.
‘Craig hates Layton. There is no other explanation. That dance was SENSATIONAL!!!’, another penned.
Layton, on the other hand, handled the criticism well and was really emotional after performing the performance in honour of his mother, who was in the audience.
https://twitter.com/DavidLFC_Vought/status/1725957193948672205
Starting to think Craig is jealous of Layton & Nikita #Strictly
— Faith Martin 🪩 (@faithcathmary) November 18, 2023
Craig hates Layton. There is no other explanation. That dance was SENSATIONAL!!! #Strictly
— Beatrice V🎀V🎀 🫶 (@BeatriceScanno) November 18, 2023
Beyond annoyed at Craig – what more can Layton do to get a 10! #Strictly
— Susie Bassett (@SusanBassettUK) November 18, 2023
who does Craig want to give a 40 to so badly that he would deny Layton twice?? #Strictly
— ♡✧˖° 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩 °˖✧♡ (@Trashmacaron) November 18, 2023
Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman, he said: ‘It’s so nice to see her in the audience. Hey, mum!
‘I feel like, just to get up there and to truly live authentically and just dance how you would dance… like, my mum would be on that pole with me, period! No joke!
‘She’s always let me be who I wanna be so I love you to bits and just hope I do you proud.’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer.
