Layton Williams has pulled no punches as he publicly addressed the backlash he’s received since joining Strictly Come Dancing and now after bagging a finale spot.
The actor has made it all the way to the final after avoiding the semi-final dance-off at the expense of Bobby Brazier and Annabel Croft.
In the end, it was Croft who had to bid farewell to the BBC show in emotional scenes during Sunday’s results show – something that left a number of viewers claiming she was “robbed”.
While Williams was the only semi-finalist to bag a perfect score of 40 for his Charleston, much of the criticism levelled his way stems from the fact he has experience in the world of musical theatre.
Williams, his pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, and the Strictly judges have all hit back at the reception Williams has received before but on Sunday – after the results of the semi-final had been recorded – Williams took to social media with an impassioned post.
The finalist replied to former Strictly pro Robin Windor who’d pleaded: “STOP this hatred for @laytonwilliams, it’s BULLYING ffs.
Layton Williams avoided the dance-off in the Strictly semis
BBC
“The poor guy sees all these comments everyone tags him in – how is that supposed to make him feel. You should all be ashamed of yourselfs. What ever happened to be KIND? #mentalhealth.”
Echoing Windsor’s point, Williams hit out: “Thanks Robin. Luckily I have thick skin but it’s so draining that so called ‘Strictly fans’ go out of their way to drag me down to lift others up.
“Their fave couples would be SO embarrassed by their comments & so should they.
“They’ll never dim my shine. Big love x,” Williams signed off to his 62.7k X followers. (sic)
Williams was soon flooded with hundreds of supportive comments from fans who praised the star for combatting the online backlash as well as his show-stopping performances on the dance floor.
Next weekend, he’ll face Brazier and Ellie Leach to see who’ll lift the Glitterball Trophy.
His spot in the finale isn’t the first time Williams has come under fire from BBC viewers this series with several taking issue with the fact he bagged the first 40 of the series instead of Leach.
Williams didn’t let it dampen his spirits after discovering he made it to the final during Sunday’s results show, however, as he told Claudia Winkleman: “I was so ready to dance again, I don’t know why, that was just so mad.”
Thanks Robin. Luckily I have thick skin but it’s so draining that so called “Strictly fans” go out of their way to drag me down to lift others up. Their fave couples would be SO embarrassed by their comments & so should they.
They’ll never dim my shine 😊 Big love x https://t.co/n839AfwVs6— Layton Williams (@LaytonWilliams) December 10, 2023
Addressing the public who voted for him, Williams said: “The fact that people pick up the phone is really, really fab.
“So I’m honestly so grateful… and to you as well,” he added as he gestured towards dance partner Kuzmin.
Kuzmin was similarly full of praise for his dance partner as it marks the first time the Strictly pro has made it to a final.
“It’s a dream come true. And coming to the final with him… it’s just magical,” Kuzmin told Winkleman.
