Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams explains why Nikita partnership was 'surprise' as 'nostalgic' link to first meeting

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Layton Williams has shared that being paired with Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly Come Dancing came as a 'surprise'. Fans of the BBC One dance contest were introduced to each of the 15 celebrities who are in the running to take home the Glitterball trophy this year during Saturday night's launch show.

During the first episode of the 21st series, Layton, who is best known on TV for playing Stephen Carmichael in Bad Education, was seen meeting his new dance partner for the first time - becoming the series’ only same-sex couple - before teasing his moved during a group routine to a medley of high-energy tracks.

But following his Strictly debut, the 29-year-old, who is from Bury, clapped back at criticism over his participation in the show.

Now though, Layton has opened up about his new dancing partnership for the first time. READ MORE: EastEnders' Bobby Brazier shares 'promise' to Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell as she marks relationship READ MORE: Get the latest Strictly Come Dancing news and gossip here "I was a little surprised, just because I didn’t think I was gonna be with Nikita," the West End star told the PA news agency "But I feel like, even over the last few days, we’ve spent so much time together this week, we’re raring to go.” Talking about the spot where they met, at Peel Tower, high above Ramsbottom in Greater Manchester, Layton said: "It was so beautiful, we met each other on this part of town that overlooks the whole city, but it’s really nostalgic for me, it’s where I used to go with my grandparents and just go for like cute walks when I was a kid and I’ve literally not been there since I was a kid." Despite only rehearsing for a short time so far, Nikita said of being partnered with Layton: "It's like