Strictly’s Layton Williams addresses ‘unfair’ trained dancer backlash

Layton Williams’ relationship with former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has been revealed.

Although the pair are not competing and judging on the show at the same time, original judge Arlene, 80, has shared that she has a special relationship with current star Layton, 29.

While speaking about this year’s line-up of celebrities, she told OK!: “I just love the attitude of all the contestants this year, they’re all so enthusiastic and absolutely no one is holding back.

“It’s always going to be exciting watching someone like Layton Williams, who I’ve worked alongside in the past and who calls me ‘Auntie Arlene’.”

This isn’t the first time Arlene has shown her support publicly for the West End star as she previously penned a good luck message to him prior to the Strictly launch show.

READ MORE Arlene Phillips on what she dislikes about Strictly judges 15 years on from exit

Alongside a picture of the duo at the Olivier Awards red carpet, the choreographer gushed: “My darling @laytonwilliams I’ve got that #fridayfeeling buzzing as I await your debut on @bbcstrictly tomorrow night.

“I know you’ll be giving it the Layton slay and I’ll be watching you #friendship #support #strictlycomedancing #bbcstrictly #dancelife.”

Layton responded to the kind gesture in the comments section and said: “Awww! Love ya Arlene. Promise I’ll slay as much as I can.”(sic)

The actor has come under fire for his previous dance background while competing in this year’s show for the Glitterball trophy.

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Former Strictly professional James Jordan, who regularly shares his views on the show, told Hello! he is “ultra picky” when it comes to Layton as “he’s a fully trained professional dancer”.

The 45-year-old went on to say that Layton and his dance partner Nikita, 25, are essentially both two professional dancers and the reason he is so good is as a result of his dancing background.

Layton has appeared in a number of roles in the West End including Billy Elliot and Everyone is Talking about Jamie.

His  credits include Bad Education – where he rose to fame, and I Hate Suzie.

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