BBC Strictly judge Anton Du Beke accuses Layton Williams of ‘showing off’ after backlash

Strictly finalist Layton Williams has been bringing perfect performances since the show began. But he’s also received plenty of backlash from fans due to his professional dancing background.

But, as Layton and Nikita hit the dancefloor to perform their showdance, the Bad Education star received an unexpected jibe from judge Anton Du Beke.

After their dance ended, Tess Daly went straight to Anton for feedback. The Ballroom expert said: “There’s really not much to add is there? Let’s be honest. I mean, what can you say?”

His comments caused laughter from his fellow judges, as the star appeared to be stuck for words. Mimicking a conversation between Nikita and Layton, Anton quipped: “You’ve basically gone, ummm, Layton we’ve got a dance here, it’s called a show dance, oh alright, that’s nice, and basically we can do whatever we want. And he’s gone, alright, leave it to me.”

Anton then bust a move, which had the crowd laughing as he re-enacted how he thought Layton would be dancing during rehearsals. He then continued his comments, saying: “It’s just…sort of ridiculous…to be honest with you, it’s showing off.”

Layton seemed to take the comments in good humour, as the camera panned to him laughing hysterically. Whilst Tess interjected by saying: “That’s the point.”

Fans of the show reacted to Anton’s comments on X, with one Twitter user agreeing, saying: “That Layton and Nikita dance. Anton Du Beke has just hit the nail on the head…“That was showing off”.

Another added: “Anton’s right! That’s just showing off and I LOVED THEM FOR IT!!!!!”

And a third wrote: “Exactly that Anton…he’s just showing off!!”

Head judge Shirley Ballas also had plenty of praise to heap on Layton.

Following his performance she said: “Magic is in the mix. You came in as a great dancer as everybody knows but you know what I love the most about you? It’s your work ethic and how hard you’ve worked to perfect your skills.

“Whether it’s ballroom or whether it’s Latin, or even listening to the partnership of Nikita and really being aware out of the peripheral making sure that everything was done right.

“You know, I’m so inspired by you to come out here and do that kind of performance at the right temperature at your A game was absolutely phenomenal, and you should be proud of both of you.”

During his time on Strictly, Layton has spoken candidly about the criticism he has received whilst being on the show.

Speaking to Express.co.uk and other media ahead of the finale, Layton shared: “It has been hard, the pressure of feeling like you have to do well.

“No one is going hard and complaining when I am rubbish, remember the Viennese Waltz… Didn’t get many tweets that week did I?

“It’s only when you do it good is when people want to drag you down and we have managed to get around that and the biggest inspiration really is the people that it is inspiring and what we have managed to do as a duo and using I as ammo to be like, ‘We deserve to be here.’

“Being here is inspiring so many people to be themselves, not conform and not take what people’s opinions are of us because at the end of the day, it is not really my business either, and I have kind of managed to take it on the chin and just get on with it.”