Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Layton Williams in Strictly

337 replies

Char65 · 05/11/2023 19:23

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?

OP posts:
Phonedown · 05/11/2023 23:23

He's an amazing dancer and I love watching him - completely mesmerising but he shouldn't be on SCD. I have lost interest this year but tbh that's more down to the really inconsistent and completely baffling scoring. It really fucks me off.

bridgetreilly · 05/11/2023 23:49

I find him unbearable to watch, frankly. He is more up himself than Johannes, and that is saying something.

Fergie51 · 06/11/2023 00:05

I’m still waiting for a Danny Mac Samba or Jay McGuiness Jive to relight the Strictly magic.

Morewineplease10 · 06/11/2023 00:44

I think he is brilliant and I love watching him. He and Nikita are incredible as a dancing couple. I couldn't take my eyes off Layton this eve.

I agree it's unfair but I don't think he'll win either due to lack of journeyetc. Equally I can't imagine he won't be in the final.

jazzybelle · 06/11/2023 00:57

Nigel Harman also has experience -

Diploma in musical theatre
Worked on a cruise ship for six months as a dancer
West End - Mamma Mia dancer
West End - Sky Masterson
He has also appeared in other WE roles.

Wingedharpy · 06/11/2023 01:11

'Twill never be an even playing field unless they get 15 robots as competitors.

Leave the lad alone.

HRTQueen · 06/11/2023 01:15

He is a fantastic dancer but yes of course it’s unfair

many will have had some dance training but that’s very different from having a regular and pretty much consistent work as a dancer/performer in the west end (which very few dancers achieve as competition is so high)

Onethingatatime23 · 06/11/2023 03:46

I think having actors with a stage school background in it is fine, even if they have been in the odd musical. But Layton crosses a border for me as someone who make a living from dancing professionally. It would have been almost like having Darcey Bussell on as a competitor instead of a judge.

Thedogscollar · 06/11/2023 04:06

It's a bit like the good the bad and the ugly. You have to have a range of talent for it to be an entertainment show.
Layton is amazing no doubt about it I love watching him and Nikita. It's a talent and popularity contest and on that he will not win.
My money's on Ellie with Layton and either Nigel or Angela R as runners-up.

Dontjudgeme101 · 06/11/2023 04:34

Wingedharpy · 06/11/2023 01:11

'Twill never be an even playing field unless they get 15 robots as competitors.

Leave the lad alone.

This with bells on!

RedRiverShore4 · 06/11/2023 04:40

It's nice to have a range of talent as it makes it more interesting, although it's a competition it's a tv show also and it's not like it's the general public and a money prize is at stake, it's just celebrities.

RedCoffeeCup · 06/11/2023 04:43

I don't mind - I think it's fine to have a range of contestants with different backgrounds and abilities and that's what makes it fun to watch. My DH agrees with you though.

Friendfoe1 · 06/11/2023 05:04

HarrietSpying · 05/11/2023 19:43

Totally agree. Can’t bear him. I don’t watch him now. Much prefer the others. I hope he doesn’t make it much further but I suspect he will.

I think he will be in the final, I doubt anyone could beat him in the dance off. 😏

Friendfoe1 · 06/11/2023 05:06

bridgetreilly · 05/11/2023 23:49

I find him unbearable to watch, frankly. He is more up himself than Johannes, and that is saying something.

Agreed 🤣

Magicshoppingtrolley · 06/11/2023 06:38

So many of them have dance experience, as have so many over the years, but I can’t remember so much hate and trolling being spewed for a contestant. But then have the others been openly gay men……?

It’s an entertainment show. And as such I expect to be entertained by a variety of dancers; enjoying watching those who have really come on, those who aren’t that great and those who have dance experience - but are still learning as Latin and Ballroom are so different.

I can’t comprehend why people feel the need to hate on someone so much.

pink1173 · 06/11/2023 06:46

I absolutely love him! I would rather watch him than all the ones who can’t dance. The hatred online for him has been obscene. And it’s not as if he has lobbied to be on the show. The BBC have deemed him suitable to be part of the competition so I think if people have a problem
they need to direct their comments to the BBC and not the actual person. You can tell all the comments are weighing him down when he speaks on his Instagram stories. People are truly vile nowadays.

LizzBurg · 06/11/2023 06:52

For me though, it's not solely his experience but the fact he seems incredibly cocky with it and that over exaggerated campness annoys me.

Seeing Layton after each dance talking to Claudia and also interviews with him on It Takes Two, cocky is the last thing I would call him. He comes across as a pleasant guy learning the complexities of a new skill, just like the other competitors.
Is it just Layton or do all displays of campness annoy you? If so @Oganesson118 then Strictly really isn’t for you.

RedSuedePump · 06/11/2023 07:01

Layton definitely has dance skills above what some of the other “stage school trained” competitors have and some of his stage roles have had dance elements as an integral part of it. however he was offered a place by the BBC and was well within his rights to accept it and then compete to the best of his ability. any nasty trolling is out of order. ultimately there’s been loads of people over the years who have been in musicals/bands etc and they always have an advantage over the likes of the sports starts/ presenters etc it’s a light hearted saturday night family tv show - just enjoy it.

RedRiverShore4 · 06/11/2023 07:16

I shall vote for him each week as I enjoy watching him

BrendaMcPherson · 06/11/2023 07:16

Wotchaz · 05/11/2023 19:34

I reckon they’ve done it deliberately because the previous same sex couples have been a bit “meh”. So they’ve brought in someone who’s guaranteed to stay in for longer and show what a same sex couple can do. Doesn’t stop me finding him irritating, but maybe worth it to see Nikita each week!

John Whaite was anything but 'Meh'. He got to the final! You cant stay in any longer than that. Did you even watch his Pirates Paso?!

Mrsjayy · 06/11/2023 07:23

VeniVidiWeeWee · 05/11/2023 22:37

And your source for this is?

Show quote history

what ? Do you want me to do your Google search for you I mean I can if you like 👍

chocolateisavegetable · 06/11/2023 07:23

I absolutely love watching him and Nikita. They are the only reason I’m watching this year because I knew who Layton is. He was invited on the show by the BBC, so those that don’t like it should complain to them rather than pour hate on someone who’s suffered with quite enough hatred already.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 06/11/2023 07:24

John Waite and Johannes were fabulous!

There are ringers and then there is Layton. He’s been paid to teach dance previously. . Step too far imo. If it’s the same for Angela S then same to her. Step too far.

It’s hard to get people without any dance experience completely but a professional dancer. Not right.

icelollycraving · 06/11/2023 07:26

Every year there is someone with really strong experience. I love watching him perform. He still has feet that turn in and I think they score him appropriately. Most of them have some dance training. People are voting for him to stay, just like the others. I think this year is a really good mix from the ones with training, to Krishnan who is simply loving strictly life.
I think a lot of people don’t want to admit, perhaps even to themselves, why they dislike him so much.

Swipe left for the next trending thread