Who is Layton Williams? Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 contestant and West End star
The Bad Education actor is bringing a lot to the competition.
Layton Williams topped the leaderboard last weekend with his practically flawless Argentine tango - can he do it again on Saturday night as Strictly heads to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom for Week 9?
West End star Layton and dance partner Nikita Kuzmin will be performing their Couple's Choice to Ain't No Other Man by Christina Aguilera on Blackpool Tower's historic - and slightly springy - dance floor this Saturday (18th November).
Last weekend, Layton thrilled the judges with his Argentine tango, pipping Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola to the top of the Strictly leaderboard with 39 points, receiving 10s from all of the judges besides the notoriously hard-to-please Craig Revel Horwood.
So far in the competition, Layton and Nikita have wowed us all with their near-perfect performances, including their electric jive to Shake Ur Body by SHY FX and T Power feat Di, their dazzling tango during Halloween Week, and their nimble salsa to Quimbara by Johnny Pacheco and Celia Cruz.
Can Layton get perfect 10s across the panel this weekend in the home of ballroom? We'll have to tune in to find out!
Williams is best known for his role in Bad Education and for having performed in West End productions of Billy Elliot and Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
He's taken the theatre world by storm and, based on his dances so far, he's doing the same with Strictly.
Read on for everything you need to know about Layton Williams.
Who is Layton Williams?
Age: 29
Job: Actor, singer and dancer
Instagram: @laytonwilliams
Twitter: @LaytonWilliams
Strictly partner: Nikita Kuzmin
Williams rose to prominence in the theatre scene, with major roles in iconic shows including Billy Elliot, Rent, Hairspray, Kiss Me, Kate and Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
Viewers may also recognise him from BBC sitcom Bad Education, where he has played Stephen Carmichael since 2012, and Sky Atlantic's darkly comic drama I Hate Suzie Too.
Earlier this year, he earned another wave of fans for his voiceover work on BBC Three's LGBTQ+ dating show I Kissed A Boy.
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Who is Layton Williams' partner Nikita Kuzmin?
Williams' partner Nikita Kuzmin is a Ukrainian dancer and choreographer who first joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2021. He was previously a professional dancer on the German version of Strictly, Let's Dance.
He said as he joined the show: "I've always been amazed by the magic Strictly Come Dancing brings. No matter what country I have found myself living in, I've never missed a chance to watch it.
"Joining it as a professional dancer is my big chance to make some magic on the most famous dance floor. I can't wait to give it my all."
For season 19 he was partnered with Tilly Ramsay, while season 20 saw him partnered with Ellie Simmonds.
Layton Williams' Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week One: Samba (7+8+7+7) = 29
Week Two: Quickstep (9+9+9+9) = 36
Week Three: Viennese Waltz (7+7+7+7) = 28
Week Four: Cha Cha (9+10+9+9) = 37
Week Five: Salsa (9+10+10+10) = 39
Week Six: Tango (9+9+9+9) = 36
Week Seven: Jive (8+10+10+8) = 36
Week Eight: Argentine Tango (9+10+10+10) = 39
What has Layton Williams said about joining Strictly 2023?
Williams said in a statement: "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!"
Williams has a lot in store for this year's Strictly through his costume choices. It was reported the West End performer will be the first Strictly contestant to wear both a dress and suit in the competition, and Williams says he hopes to be as "fabulous" as possible throughout.
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Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, the actor said: "Obviously, there are some weeks that will be like a costume for the theme that you're doing, or the storyline, but I dress many different ways when I'm Layton. So, I feel like, why wouldn't I do that when I'm on Strictly?
"I want to represent me, I want to represent my community and go out there and slay!"
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When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 air?
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 airs every Saturday evening, followed by the results show on the Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 18th November at 6:40pm. The results show will air on Sunday 12th November on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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