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Strictly Come Dancing: Layton Williams’ most iconic performances so far

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin wear matching sparkly corsets and black outfits as Williams stands in front of Kuzmin, who is clutching a pole, during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing

Layton Williams has won Strictly fans and judges over with his immense dancing talents, bubbly personality and stellar performances. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

Layton Williams has been an absolute wonder on Strictly Come Dancing as he’s fought to be half of the BBC ballroom contest’s first winning same-sex duo. 

After weeks of competition and training, Williams will join fellow Strictly finalists – EastEnders‘ Bobby Brazier and professional partner Dianne Buswell, and Coronation Street‘s Ellie Leach and pro dancer Vito Coppola – on the ballroom floor for the last time as they all vie for the famous Glitterball trophy. 

The couples will perform three routines each in the final, which airs Saturday (16 December) evening, in front of a live audience and the judges before the public votes for a winner. 

While Leach is the bookies’ favourite to win the title, Layton Williams and his professional dancing partner Nikita Kuzmin shouldn’t be ruled out. 

The Bad Education star said making it to the final was on his “dream mood board”, but it’s been a “mammoth task” to get to the end of his journey. Williams faced immense abuse online because he “ruffled a few feathers” by dancing with a “fabulous man” every weekend. 

Despite the hate, Williams’s performances have “brought way more love and joy than [he’d] ever hoped”. Now, he and Kuzmin are ready to “go out with a bang”. 

As Layton Williams prepares to take the ballroom by storm, it’s time to look over his most joyful and heartwarming performances during his time on Strictly Come Dancing. 

Layton Williams left Strictly Come Dancing fans speechless after pole routine

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin wear matching sparkly corsets and black outfits as they clutch a pole during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
Layton Williams sizzled as he danced on a pole alongside Nikita Kuzmin for their Couple’s Choice routine. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

During Blackpool week, Williams delivered a jaw-dropping Couple’s Choice routine with Kuzmin to Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man”. They wore matching sparkly corsets on top of black ensembles as they took turns sensuously swinging from a pole at the back of the stage. 

The sizzling performance was the best mix of Christina vibes and LGBTQ+ wizardry, captivating viewers at home.

Williams and Kuzmin were living their best lives, which certainly showed as they were just one point away from a clean sweep in the judges – receiving a score of 39 out of a possible 40.

Williams delivered a boundary-pushing Argentine Tango that had all the feels

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin wear matching purple outfits as they hold each other close and dance together during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin exuded intense passion during their ‘extraordinary’ Argentine Tango on Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

Williams and Kuzmin brought the house down with their incredible dance to “Tattoo” by Eurovision record-breaker Loreen, scoring a near-perfect 39. 

From start to finish, the dance was filled with intense emotions and stunning footwork that told a tale of queer longing in a way fans hadn’t seen before. 

Choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips commented on Instagram that the detail in William’s dance was “extraordinary and without losing any of the storytelling was new, inventive and right up to date”.

Williams stole the show with an astonishing and intricate quickstep

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin wear outfits composed of a shirt, suspenders, trousers and hat as they dance together during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
A Strictly Come Dancing fan said they were ‘obsessed’ with the ‘beautiful friendship’ Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin showcased during their Quickstep routine. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

The Strictly Come Dancing star blew fans away when he exuded amazing confidence and perfect synchrony with Kuzmin in their close to the second live show. 

The couple threw fans and judges into overdrive with the quickstep dance to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” that was stunning from the start of the exhilarating routine. It was difficult choreography, but Williams made it look as easy as breathing. 

After the performance, one viewer said they were “obsessed” with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin in an empathic post on X/Twitter.

“The theatre! The masculinity! A beautiful friendship in the making and the general fabulousness of it all. Amazing,” the fan wrote. 

Williams served LGBTQ+ excellence with a heartstring-tugging Grease routine

Layton Williams wears a pink shirt and black skirt as he holds a book during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
Layton Williams stunned fans and judges when he danced a Viennese Waltz while dressed as Grease icon Rizzo. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

The Everybody’s Talking About Jamie star won more praise when he performed in drag as Rizzo from Grease while Kuzmin was Kenickie. They served up queer excellence with a side of passion for millions to see. 

The costumes were as gorgeous as the perfection they served on the dancefloor as the pair executed a Viennese Waltz to “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. The technical aspects of the dance were as stunning as the passion both men left on stage by the end of the routine.

Broadcaster India Willoughby summed it up perfectly on X/Twitter, writing: “Give Layton the crown now!” 

The West End performer got rave reviews from fans and judges after a stellar Charleston

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin wear matching plaid suits as they stand on a ladder during a performance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing
Layton Williams’ Charleston to “Fit As A Fiddle” by Gene Kelley and Donald O’Connor was as camp as it was amazing. (BBC/Strictly Come Dancing)

Layton Williams and Kuzmin stunned the judges – even getting a standing ovation from Craig Revel Horwood – for their wonderfully camp Strictly Come Dancing semi-final routine. 

Williams’ electric energy was in full force as he danced the Charleston to “Fit As A Fiddle” by Gene Kelley and Donald O’Connor while wearing a plaid suit with purple and orange details. 

The pair used a ladder, umbrellas, chairs, superb acrobatics and even a crazy front flip to dance their way to a full, perfect 40 points. 

It was honestly a performance that Kelley would’ve been proud to witness. 

The Strictly Come Dancing grand final will be broadcast on Saturday 16 December from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.