BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin on 'making a difference' and proving 'unfair' criticism wrong

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Taking to the Strictly dance floor in front of millions last Saturday night, Bury-born actor Layton Williams and his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin delivered a mesmerising samba which received huge praise from the judges.

Their performance, to Cuban anthem Quimbara, earned them a total score of 39 out of 40 points from the judges - something which has not happened in week five of the competition in 13 years.

It was just one of the many moments that Layton, 29 has cited as a particular highlight during his time on the show. A star of the West End, thanks to impressive turns in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Hairspray and Billy Elliot, it’s fair to say that Layton has come into Strictly with a bit of naysayers who claim he has an ‘unfair advantage’ over others on the show. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Leach supported as she celebrates competition milestone and says 'I am so thankful' READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing couple's chemistry 'undeniable' but fans told 'important to remember' But, in an exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News, Layton and Nikita say he ‘deserves’ to be on the show and believes his experience on the stage is irrelevant when it comes to the ballroom competition. “It’s so weird when you’re on the top and you want to celebrate, but some people can be so quick to say awful things,” Layton tells the M.E.N. “What would be lovely is for people to stop spreading hate and instead tell their favourites they love them instead.

How much nicer would that be? I get that some people don’t like me and that’s fine, but take that energy and put it to good use, instead. “I hope that, by watching the show, people can see that I am not perfect and that I have so much to learn.