Strictly Come Dancing contestant Layton Williams wowed the judges by performing a back handspring with a wig on while dancing to Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood labelled last night’ s performance a “theatrical triumph”, but head judge Shirley Ballas had some criticisms and told Williams that he needed to work on the basics.
Bury musical theatre star Williams, 29, who played Stephen on BBC Three series Bad Education, is partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin and the pair performed a tango on Saturday which received a standing ovation.
Offering her criticism on the spooky dance which took place during Strictly’s Halloween Week, Ballas said: “I think it’s got some great choreography going on.
“I think you are an exceptional dancer. I think everybody knows that.
“You can drum, you’ve got all the tricks… but for me it is still a ballroom and Latin competition and there are certain fundamentals, particularly like when you’re going into promenade which is a very basic step.”
Responding to boos, Ballas went on: “No, hang on a minute. Please wait a moment. Basic at the bronze level.
“When you’re going into promenade the first step is a heel… I’m just talking keep working on the footwork as you know you’ve got the rest, but what’s difficult is the fundamentals.”
Refuting her opinion, Revel Horwood said: “I disagree with Shirley that this is strictly a ballroom and Latin competition, we have plenty of other forms of dancing that we do as well and for me this was a theatrical triumph.”
Also complimenting Williams was Du Beke, who called him a “fantastic dancer”.
Williams mentioned that the nerves had got to him this week, and said he wants to “level up”.
With four nines from the judges, the duo received a total of 36 points, which put them second on the Strictly leader board this week, behind Ellie Leach, aLeo from Bury, and Vito Coppola, who wowed with their salsa.
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