Dame Esther Rantzen has claimed Strictly’s Layton Williams should not be completing in Saturday’s final due to his previous dance experience.
The broadcaster, 83, said that BBC bosses had ‘lost the plot’ signing up the actor, 29, and insisted he had an unfair advantage over fellow finalists Ellie Leach, 22, and Bobby Brazier, 20.
Esther, who finished eighth in the 2014 series, also accused Layton of ‘hogging the limelight’ in a letter to The Daily Telegraph.
Writing: ‘A professional dancer like the brilliant Layton Williams should never be given a role as a contestant in Strictly,’ claiming it was unfair to the other finalists as well as viewers at home.
‘As an ardent fan of the programme (and an unsuccessful contestant in series two – my deepest sympathy to my dance partner, Anton[Du Beke]) I wonder why the production team seems to have lost the plot this year by recruiting Williams.’
Dame Esther Rantzen, 83, has claimed Strictly’s Layton Williams should not be completing in Saturday’s final due to his previous dance experience
The broadcaster said that BBC bosses had ‘lost the plot’ signing up the actor, 29, and insisted he had an unfair advantage over fellow finalists Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier (Layton pictured with pro partner Nikita Kuzmin)
She went on to say that she believed it was actually 57-year-old Annabel Croft, who was voted out in the semi-final, that should be joining Bobby and Ellie to compete for the glitter ball trophy this weekend.
Layton, who is partnered with pro Nikita Kuzmin, has come under fire from viewers due to his experience on stage and previous dance training, having starred in West End productions Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Rent and Billy Elliot.
It comes after the actor hinted that the hate he has received since appearing on the show could have been brought on because of his multiracial background and the fact he is gay.
Layton said that the level of trolling has been ‘shocking’ and admits that while Strictly has featured same sex couples in the past, he is the first ‘queer’ contestant to fully express their ‘flamboyant’ personality on the ballroom floor.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s final, he said: ‘Obviously, I was aware of the fact that it might have noise, but I definitely did not anticipate how much it has been because I am definitely not the first person to be in this position and I don’t understand why it’s shock horror news because I’m not the first and won’t be the last, let’s keep it moving, you know?
‘From the very beginning, I’ve been like, cool, if people are going to expect a certain level, let’s give them that and then some.’
He also claims that his critics only lambast him when he is getting high scores and that his social media quietened down during the weeks he received lower scores from the judges, such as when he danced the Viennese Waltz to There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease and was given just 28 points out of 40.
Esther, who finished eighth in the 2014 series, also accused Layton of ‘hogging the limelight’ (pictured on the show with pro partner Anton Du Beke)
She went on to claim that it was actually 57-year-old Annabel Croft, who was voted out in the semi-final, that should be joining Bobby and Ellie to compete for the glitter ball trophy
Layton, who is partnered with pro Nikita Kuzmin, has come under fire from viewers due to his experience on stage and previous dance training , having starred in West End productions Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Rent (pictured) and Billy Elliot
‘It has been hard, the pressure of feeling like you have to do well,’
‘This is the funny thing, no one is going hard and moaning or complaining when I’m rubbish… remember the Viennese Waltz? I didn’t get many tweets that week did I! It’s only when you’re doing cute that people want to drag you down, which is fine, and we have managed to get around that.
‘It has not defined my journey, what has defined my journey has been who we have been able to inspire, not people that are keyboard warriors, they are just a small percentage.’
The trolling echoes 2018 when former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, 42, was vilified for being too much of a talented dancer.
However, in contrast to the online negativity, Williams says when he’s approached by Strictly fans in the street, he is shown a lot of love as he admits starring on one of the BBC’s most watched shows has increased his public profile.
He said: ‘When I am out in the streets honey, I was shopping on Sunday in Selfridges doing my thing and I was being approached and I was like, oh my God I’m on TV… the love is crazy, they really be coming up to me and nobody is coming up to me in the streets and try and cuss me down, do you know what I mean?
‘Honestly, I am taking from this and look back on my Strictly journey with a smile. It’s all love here. I have found myself a new friend so I’m happy.’
Strictly Come Dancing: The Final is on Saturday 16th December at 7pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’