October 13th 2023.
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams has confirmed that BBC bosses are open to introducing a trans contestant in future seasons. The 29-year-old Bad Education star has won the nation's hearts this season, as he pairs up with Nikita Kuzmin and joins the likes of Angela Rippon and Adam Thomas on the Strictly dance floor.
In their most recent performance, Layton pushed boundaries by wearing a skirt in their Viennese waltz routine to the Grease soundtrack. Layton has now revealed that BBC bosses are ready to open the doors to a trans contestant. In an exclusive chat with The Agency, when asked if he'd like to watch a trans contestant dance on the show next year, the West End performer said: "That would be beautiful. I think producers are open to all beautiful people from all walks and that would be superb."
Layton and Nikita have won the hearts of the nation this series. Layton teased that he would be pushing more boundaries in the upcoming week, with Nikita adding: "Yeah, the most important thing is that Layton is happy." Layton noted how they were praised from fans during a recent appearance at the Attitude Awards, and that plenty of fans have praised him for the representation on screen, including parents of young children. Layton shared: "A parent said something like 'my 2-year-old boy just goes, the boys, the boys!' He gets excited when we're on, which is so cute. Kids are so cute, they just see past anything and are so open-hearted with things like that."
Nikita, who was last year paired with Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, revealed that being in a same-sex partnership was something he always wanted to do, after watching John Whaite and Johannes Radebe make it to the final just two years ago. He said: "To be honest, it's something that I've always wanted to do on the show, ever since I saw John and Johannes. They were absolutely fabulous, an iconic partnership. I was just like, I would like the same opportunity, and it's been amazing so far. A dream come true!"
This comes after Layton revealed that, despite stunning us all with his fabulous moves and even more fabulous looks, Strictly producers are apparently unhappy with his rehearsal outfits. Layton said he keeps getting told by the camera crew to wear more clothes, but he added: "In the training room, they're like, 'We're seeing a lot of things'. But this is how I feel comfortable. I've got my jock strap on, it's the BBC."
A spokesperson for the BBC told The Agency: "Contestants can wear what they feel most comfortable in whilst rehearsing and in the training room." Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.30pm on BBC One.
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