Strictly’s Arlene Phillips warns harsh trolls to ‘back off’ Layton Williams – as former pro James Jordan says it ‘isn’t right’ that the performer is on the show

Dame Arlene Phillips has warned harsh trolls to ‘back off’ Layton Williams after he has been at the receiving end of hurtful messages since appearing on Strictly.

While his close friend Arlene, 80, supported the West End actor, James Jordan, 45, claimed ‘it isn’t right’ Layton is on the show.

Layton, 29, who has been a victim of constant trolling and bullying, has been slammed by the former Strictly Come Dancing star because of his career history.

As Arlene shared her support to the actor after hearing of his troubling experience, she also urged viewers to ‘not pick on Layton’.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: ‘Unless the public gets behind Layton, he won’t win, and in many ways, I think that’s a tragedy because yes, he has danced but the force and the personality that Layton puts into it is his own. Don’t pick on Layton. Don’t pile on hate.

Dame Arlene Phillips, 80, has warned harsh trolls to ‘back off’ Layton Williams after he has been at the receiving end of hurtful messages since appearing on Strictly

While his close friend Arlene, 80, supported the West End actor, James Jordan , 45, claimed ‘it isn’t right’ Layton is on the show

‘There is no one I can think of who comes in with an attitude as positive as Layton’s. Whatever he is working on, nothing gets him down. He brings joy into a room and he is a truly beautiful human being.

‘He is one of my favourite all-time people. I have to tell you. Am I biased about Layton? Completely. I want him to win. Because Layton has worked very hard for everything he has and everything he does and I can’t imagine one person I know that has worked with him who hasn’t just fallen in love with who Layton is.’

While Arlene sang the actor’s praises, James waded into the row adding he thinks Layton shouldn’t have been in the line-up in the first place as he insisted he was the ‘best dancer’ the show had seen.

He told Hello magazine: ‘It’s the best dance I’ve seen in any of the Strictly Come Dancing’s all round the world. I loved it, I watched it and thought oh my god that was epic, but does that make it right?

‘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.

‘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.’

The Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Billy Elliott star recently got a standing ovation from Craig Revel Horwood for his performance with Nikita Kuzmin, 25, last week, for their Charleston.

Layton and Nikita bagged a perfect 40 for the second week running for their version of Gene and Donald O’Connor’s jig to Fit As A Fiddle.

Layton, who has been a victim of constant trolling and bullying, has been slammed by the former Strictly Come Dancing star because of his career history

As Arlene shared her support to the actor after hearing of his troubling experience, she also urged viewers to ‘not pick on Layton’

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: ‘Unless the public gets behind Layton, he won’t win, and in many ways, I think that’s a tragedy because yes, he has danced but the force and the personality that Layton puts into it is his own. Don’t pick on Layton. Don’t pile on hate’

While Arlene sang the actor’s praises, James waded into the row adding he thinks Layton shouldn’t have been in the line-up in the first place as he insisted he was the ‘best dancer’ the show had seen (James pictured with wife Ola in 2012 on Strictly)

He told Hello magazine: ‘ It’s the best dance I’ve seen in any of the Strictly Come Dancing’s all round the world. I loved it, I watched it and thought oh my god that was epic, but does that make it right?’

James added: ‘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.’

They first danced the Rumba to Lift Me Up by Rihanna, which they got 36 out of 40 points for, before leaving Craig, 58, gobsmacked by their Charleston.

Craig got to his feet as he gave them a very rarely-seen standing ovation for the routine as he clapped them, while Layton and Nikita looked very surprised by the strict judge’s praise.

Craig told them: ‘That’s the best Charleston that I have seen in 20 years.’ 

While Motsi Mabuse echoed him as she added: ‘There is nothing that has been better, and this is a testament to your hard work and anyone around you, well done.’

Craig, Motsi, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all gave Layton and Nikita 10 points for the routine, seeing them get a perfect score for the second time.

The pair appeared completely overwhelmed upon getting their scores and Nikita broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his dance partner.

Nikita also made a cryptic comment about Layton still bringing ‘joy’ to people despite what happens in his ‘personal life’ as he hinted at difficulties. 

He said: ‘You try to bring joy to everyone – no matter what happens outside or in your personal life – I’m not going to go into that – you always bring joy. 

Layton and Nikita bagged a perfect 40 for the second week running for their version of Gene and Donald O’Connor’s jig to Fit As A Fiddle

They first danced the Rumba to Lift Me Up by Rihanna , which they got 36 out of 40 points for, before leaving Craig, 58, gobsmacked by their Charleston

Their latest dance comes after Nikita hit back at trolls who have continued to make hurtful comments about Layton during his Strictly stint

Layton is often targeted by trolls for his West End background and some claim that the celebrity is a ‘professional dancer’ and that he has an ‘unfair’ advantage

Talking about the hateful comments sent to him online, Layton said: ‘It’s like: “Can you not just dress like a man, please please please put a suit on!” and I’m like: “Girl, relax!”’

Layton added: ‘I’m sure you know how it feels, you can have 1000 amazing messages and then just one [negative] and you’re like: “Urgh!” but in these moments, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… even Beyoncé has haters, so!’

‘You make me shine with how much you are shining, you are one of my best friends.’

Their latest dance comes after Nikita hit back at trolls who have continued to make hurtful comments about Layton during his Strictly stint.

The pair addressed the ongoing trolling during a joint appearance on ITV’s This Morning last week, with Nikita describing it as ‘sad and unnecessary’.

Layton is often targeted by trolls for his West End background and some claim that the celebrity is a ‘professional dancer’ and that he has an ‘unfair’ advantage.

Talking about the hateful comments sent to him online, Layton said: ‘It’s like: “Can you not just dress like a man, please please please put a suit on!” and I’m like: “Girl, relax!”’

Nikita was quick to defend Layton as he said: ‘We get a bit defensive of our partners and just to see sometimes people speaking things or saying things they shouldn’t be saying.

‘Sometimes things also get to him, and that’s a personal side, I find it sad and unnecessary [the trolling]. At the end of the day, we just want to make people happy, we just want to put on a show…’

Layton added: ‘I’m sure you know how it feels, you can have 1000 amazing messages and then just one [negative] and you’re like: “Urgh!” but in these moments, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… even Beyoncé has haters, so!’

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