Strictly: Layton and Nikita defend Shirley amid criticism
Strictly Come Dancing judges have finally awarded a couple the first 40 of the series. After two weeks of being in the dance-off, Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin achieved a perfect score of 40.
At week 11, theirs was the first perfect score of the series, which is later than more previous series of the BBC competition. Following their Paso Doble toBackstage Romance from Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the couple’s co-stars all chanted “40!” as they awaited the judges’ scores.
“You can see what your fellow dancers want,” host Claudia Winkleman commented. “It was really important for you to come back, to fight, after being in the dance-off.
“And to perform something from Moulin Rouge, how did it feel?” An overwhelmed-looking Layton replied: “It’s so magical”.
He continued: “It is a lot, to come in on Monday and feel like maybe, you know, I’m not as loved as I thought I was… Jokes! But you really do have to come back fighting.”
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He continued: “I feel like I had to experience that just to come back absolutely fighting, and this dance was the perfect dance to do that.”
Layton went on to thank Nikita following a “challenging week,” and the professional stated he was “proud” of the actor. When it was time for the judges to reveal their scores, stars in the background could be heard yelling: “Come on, Craig!” encouraging the harsher judge to finally hand out a 10.
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After he did, the studio filled with applause as Layton and Nikita celebrated and the three other 10s followed. The couple hugged and Claudia had her hands on her face in shock.
“I know it means so much,” the presenter commented, adding: “And I feel like we all got 40.”
“Thank you so much,” a near-speechless Layton managed to respond and Nikita continued to hug him.
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“Well done, that’s what you call a comeback,” Claudia concluded. As the cameras panned to the judges, Tess remarked: “On behalf of the nation… Craig, thank you for finally giving a 10, we love you for that.”
“About time,” Anton agreed, laughing. By the end of the show, the couple topped the leaderboard, followed closely by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell and Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Sunday at 7.20pm on BBC One.
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