Neil Jones on backlash against Strictly's Layton 'People are going to change their opinions'
15.10.2023 - 08:23
/ ok.co.uk
Neil Jones may not have a Strictly Come Dancing partner this year, but when it comes to the celebrity contestants, he's certainly got their back. Speaking to OK! this week, the professional dancer, 29, defended Layton Williams, who has received backlash since joining the show for his previous dancing experience.
Layton, who topped the leaderboard during week one, is a West End star and has experience in dancing, singing and acting, with many claiming it gives him a one-up in the competition. But sharing his view on why people will change their opinions, Neil said, "Layton is a dancer but he’s never danced Latin Ballroom, it’s different.
"He’s doing a great job and I really feel that we’re going to see the growth from him, and that’s when people are going to change their opinions. When they see him improve they will realise, because, to the naked eye, you could look at him and think he’s brilliant already, but it’s different from a professional eye.
Layton is currently in an all-male pairing with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, with Neil continuing, "What Nikita sees, he goes into the studio on a Monday and says, ‘Here is what we need to improve’. "Nikita knows he can dance and perform but Layton needs to learn the moves and the actions, it’s very hard to do and the backlash is very hard for both Layton and Nikita.
But he’s doing brilliantly." Layton, who is known for his role of Stephen in BBC Three’s Bad Education, has been the victim of trolling online since joining the show in September and admits that it has got to him over recent weeks.
Taking to social media earlier this month, Layton told his fans, "The messages of love are overwhelming but as is the low key trolling. “I’m just here to have fun like all the
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