LAYTON Williams’ has enjoyed an astounding run on Strictly Come Dancing, achieving the series’ only perfect 40s and topping the leaderboard seven times.
But his musical theatre background means he’s experienced the show’s worst ever battering by trolls.
Despite that the Bad Education star has an upbeat message for his haters ahead of the glittering finale.
Layton laughed: “People are a little bit grumpy… I’m like, cheer up!
“It’s just a cheeky high kick, a flip and a lip! So just get into it.”
Layton and his pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin have lit up the dancefloor with a series of progressive, creative dances and the BBC Three actor has worn both skirts and trousers in doing so.
He added: “I was aware of the fact it might have some noise but we’ve been able to manage it and it’s not defining my journey.
“What’s defining my journey is what we’ve been able to do and who we’ve been able to inspire, not people that are keyboard warriors. They’re just a percentage.
“When I am out on the streets, it’s woah! I was shopping on Sunday in Selfridges doing my thing and the love, I tell you, is crazy.
“I’m going to look back on my Strictly journey and smile. I’m not going to be thinking about no trolls, let’s just say that.”
Among the trolls was one shining social media comment, as I revealed yesterday.
Layton was shocked to hear that Gene Kelly’s widow had lauded his Charleston tribute to the Tinseltown dance icon.
He added: “It’s wild, isn’t it? My mum sent me that, it’s like Gene Kelly’s wife, what the hell!
“It’s really exciting and that was a big tick. It’s really special.
“Whatever happens in the final, happens. We are just so proud to have done everything that we’ve done
“I just can’t wait to sit down one day and show the grand kids, look what I used to get up to! It’s beautiful.”
Layton will compete in the live final against Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
