11 September 2023 , 06:00
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Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams has defended his past dance experience, pointing out he has never trained in ballroom or Latin dancing.
The actor, 28, who comes from a performing background and has performed in various musicals such as Everybody's Talking About Jamie, is one of 15 celebrities taking to the BBC dance floor this autumn in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy. However, despite having dance experience, Layton has insisted Strictly is totally different.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press ahead of the show's launch, Layton said: "Of course there's going to be moments that will feel more comfortable being in the rehearsal room and use of dancing. However, I can't stress enough how different [Strictly is]... it's like a plumber trying to be an electrician!
Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams has defended his past dance experience (BBC/Ray Burmiston)
The actor, 28, comes from a performing background and has performed in various musicals such as Everybody's Talking About Jamie (Instagram/ @laytonwilliams)"It's just not the same and if anything, I'm such a perfectionist with the things that I do, when it comes to stuff that I should potentially be able to do and everyone expects me to be able to do but actually it's just sometimes unlearning.
"I don't really know yet because I've not started but come a couple of weeks, I might be like: 'Oh yeah, you're alright, I'm amazing' or 'actually you know what, can we all just cool down... because I'm not that cute!' I'm excited to learn new things, just throw me into the deep end, let's go." Layton added that he didn't study Latin or ballroom at college, saying: "So it's a whole new world!"
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Elsewhere, Layton admitted he has been "thrown into the deep end" as he had to start rehearsals late due to filming Bad Education series five. He said: "I was thrown into the deep end because I've been on set, I'm still filming Bad Education at the moment, season five. So I wasn't able to make the mass rehearsal yesterday... so it's very much so lights, cameras and now it feels so real!"
Layton stars as Stephen Carmichael in the hit comedy series, which was created by Jack Whitehall. Talking about whether any of his co-stars will support him on Strictly, he said of Jack, 35: "I'm sure he'll definitely come and support!"