Strictly’s Layton Williams left in tears amid backlash over previous dance experience and fix row ahead of show final
STRICTLY star Layton Williams has revealed emotions are running high for him ahead of the final as he continues to face backlash from fans.
The 29-year-old and professional partner Nikita Kuzmin will dance in this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing final.
But actor and West End star Layton has faced a hard time from critics in the lead up to the end of the competition for his dance experience.
Taking to social media he confessed: "There were lots of tears today ngl. Can't believe it's all gonna be over in 2 days."
Most recently former Strictly pro James Jordan slammed Layton's inclusion in the current series as "making a mockery" of the show.
He told HELLO! Magazine: "Is that what Strictly is supposed to be. Is that what Strictly has come to that we have fully-trained dancers on the show? For me, it’s not what Strictly is supposed to be."
More on Strictly Come Dancing
Reacting to Layton and Nikita's most recent performance, he added: "It was so good but what is everyone else supposed to do? So for me, I would say to anyone who is thinking of doing Strictly, don’t do Strictly unless you’re a trained dancer."
But this week Layton was defended by another former professional, Robin Windsor, and had his own say on the cruel comments.
After Robin branded the backlash as "bullying", Layton replied: "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."
Most read in TV
It had previously been claimed that some of his co-stars had been left "frustrated" at having to compete alongside the star thanks to his background.