Layton Williams in Strictly

[Char65]

I am a big fan of Strictly but I have lost interest in it this year because of Layton Williams as he is a professional dance. His CV reads

2007–2008: Billy Elliot the Musical
2008–2009: Beautiful People
2016: Hairspray the Musical UK Tour - playing Duane
2016-2017: Rent UK Tour - playing Angel
2017-2018: Hairspray the Musical UK Tour - playing Seaweed J. Stubbs
2018-2019: Kiss Me Kate - playing Bill Calhoun/Luciento
2019-2022: Everyone's Talking About Jamie - playing Jamie New

He was also in a Michael Jackson show - and I believe Jackson could dance a bit!

To me its no fair to pitch a pro against amateurs though I accept a lot of actors have also done dance at stage school but not appeared in the West End like this guy! What do others think?

Didn’t John Waite get to the final in a same sex pair?

John Waite (who I assume had no previous dance experience, since he's a chef) got to the final with Johannes I think.

They've only had a few same sex couples - it's not like only one of them getting to the final is a bad track record.

He's not going to win though is he...? He overperforms and so I don't like watching him dance. I hope Ellie wins, not sure if she has any prior experience though.

I kind of agree. But then the other bit of me thinks it’s just a bit of brain-switched-off light entertainment, and who cares. When it ultimately comes down to it, the winner is based on the public vote, and they tend to go for the most likeable or the person on a journey, not necessarily the technically best dancer.

Absolutely ridiculous. Angela Scanlon also has received payment for dancing.
How can it be fair?
True, untrained talent has emerged (Hamza, Bill Bailey) but it is not a level playing field against stage school leavers.

He is brilliant but definitely not fair for the others.

Oh get over it. Surely if you appreciate dance you will enjoy his routines with Nikita. His ability doesn’t affect the experience of the other competitors. There’s nothing in the rules about dance experience. There have been plenty of people with stage school and dance experience. It’s an entertainment show and the winner doesn’t get £1m they get a naff trophy. If you don’t like it switch off and stop moaning.

As long as it means the lovely Nikita gets to stay in longer, I’m not complaining! O

Agree though he would I’m sure argue that ballroom and Latin are new to him

I love watching him tho

Oh yes, how did I forget John Waite 🤦‍♀️

I’m even more irritated then!

Amanda trained to be a professional dancer prior to becoming an actor.

Angela S was in a professional Irish dancing troupe.

Nigel has the same training and a similar CV to Layton‘s, with numerous west end musicals.

Ellie trained in tap, ballet, street and modern.

So why just Layton?

I think re Angela and the Irish dancing, I think it was a bit of a disadvantage at the beginning, as you could really spot the Irish dancing in everything she did. She's had to work against her training.

That's a good point, about having a strong and successful same-sex couple that's a joy to watch. I'm glad to have a reason to feel positive about Layton's presence because it was making me feel v v angry and the WHOLE POINT of Strictly for me is to have an hour or so each week when I just feel cheesily positive about EVERYONE.

I think with Layton it's more about ability than training.

He was cast as Billy Elliot with only a year or two of street dance experience and no ballet or tap training- he was coached up to playing the role in a year. It's a very challenging part and he was unbelievably good ( as seen on the one show or something similar) after a few months. That shows a huge natural aptitude.

He has a degree in MT from Arts Ed, the same as Nigel Harman, Will Young and Danny Mac.

YANBU - I am a fan of Layton - loved him in 'Jamie' and Bad Education but....
It is ridiculous, I agree, that he is being judged against non dancers when he IS a dancer!
I imagine that it will get harder for Strictly to find younger celebs with no dance experience as they all seem to have had some
But to have an actual dancer on the show - that was a bad call

Thinking back to last year, someone with no formal dance training won. Hamza Yassin made me smile from ear to ear every time he danced, and that’s what I want. His dancing was just such a joy.

I agree this weeks dance was fine and he had his tricks but i think it was lacking Jive, I do sometimes forward him as it can be too much the jazz hands bug me .

I think Masie Smith also had a MT degree.

I think people miss the point when they moan about 'pro dancer' celebs on the show. Strictly is, first and foremost an entertainment show. Producers deliberately get a mix of celebs so there is something for everyone. I love watching the great dancers like Layton - I'd much rather watch someone like him than someone like Les Dennis who was pretty dreadful to watch. As a nation we bloody love an underdog which gets in the way of common sense sometimes. Even a couple of weeks appearing on the show must boost each celebs worth by a few million I'd guess?! They can't complain. It's not about being fair or unfair - it's a TV show not the Olympic Games!

Yep

I loved hamza last year but I love watching Layton and could watch him and Nikita dance all night. He's amazing and I love the fact that Nikita has to work harder than ever for them to keep up with each other. Unfortunately I don't think they'll win as so many people are pissed off that he has a theatrical background but in the meantime, bring it on!!!

Flamboyant gay man maybe ?

YABU who wants to watch a cast of duffers?

So much hate.
He’s not the first ‘professional dancer’ to be on strictly.
I love watching him and Nikita pushing themselves week after week. They’re both very talented and it’s great they get to show it.
Nigel Harman is a trained dancer. No one is talking about his ‘advantage’.

There have been several performers from boy bands and girl bands, who usually have trained to dance and no one says anything.

“He was in a Michael Jackson show”? Come on! 🙄

Can you imagine 13 Les Dennis's !