Strictly Come Dancing has announced the first three stars part of the 2023 line-up set to change from their everyday clothes to the glitz and glam of ballroom dancing attire.
The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp were responsible for delivering the bombshell news on Friday’s show (4 August), ahead of the countdown to the series launch.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up confirmed as first celebrities announced
Layton Williams was revealed as the final celebrity to partake in the dancing competition, following award-winning Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, and broadcaster Angela Rippon, who is now the oldest contestant to take to the dancefloor at 78.
(Image: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Ima)
The 28-year-old has plenty of dancing experience behind him, with his first job as a professional performer being the title role of Billy Elliot the Musical on London’s West End.
As a reference to Layton’s record breaking and sold-out musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the BBC Press Office wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Everybody’s talking about Strictly!
(Image: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
“Film and theatre actor Layton Williams is the third celebrity contestant confirm for Strictly Come Dancing 2023 and the Bad Education star can’t wait to ‘bring it to the ballroom!’”
When asked about his professional partner on the show in a previous interview, the actor said: “I’m happy so long as it’s a guy. I’ve said I want to dance with a man”.
(Image: FilmMagic)
Layton also said in a former conversation with the press: “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!”
Despite receiving praise and support from many fans, other Strictly viewers could not help but express their concerns over Layton’s potential unfair advantage.
(Image: PA)
“I mean no disrespect to him, but has he not been in a musical, with dance? If so, why does whoever’s in charge keep choosing contestants with ridiculous advantages?” Grace Dalton wrote in response to the BBC’s post on X.
Another person wrote: “You mean DANCER Layton Williams? I think he has an advantage, no?”
“Williams is a trained dancer who also teaches dancing. Why is he on Strictly?” another X user chimed in.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
