Dame Arlene Phillips admits West End star Layton Williams DOES have an advantage on Strictly

Dame Arlene Phillips has admitted that West End star Layton Williams has the edge on Strictly Come Dancing this year.

Trained dancer Layton scored 36 out of 40 on Saturday for his Tango to Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin.

He earned a whopping 39 out of 40 from the judges over the past two weeks and got the first 10 the series has ever seen in week four.

There is no rule that celebrities cannot have any dancing experience before taking part in the show, but it has led to complaints about an unfair playing field between the contestants.

Now former judge Arlene, 80, has admitted the star has an advantage over the other contestants as he has been on stage since he was 12.

Debate: Dame Arlene Phillips, 80, admits professional dancers have an advantage in exclusive interview with MailOnline

Dame Arlene told MailOnline exclusively at the Paul Strank Charity Gala: ‘I’m thrilled to see Angela Ripton and Layton Williams, who I’ve worked with as a dancer. He’s great, and I’m really excited because they’re people I know.

“Anyone who has danced has an advantage, without a doubt, because they know how to go forward and backward, they know right and left, and they understand their bodies.

‘They don’t start at the beginning. If I have never taken a step – how do I go back, wait for my balance.”

Arlene went on to call Layton ‘one of the best dancers in Britain’ as he quickly progresses in the dancing competition.

She continued, “Layton is a very special and peaceful person. He gives everything he can and works so hard in everything he does, and he doesn’t need my advice.

‘And as dancers I have to be honest: Layton is one of the best dancers in Britain.

‘He’s phenomenal! But he hasn’t done Ballroom and Latin yet and in America, on Dancing With The Stars, they have a lot of people who have done that before, and we generally don’t do that because we like an underdog here.’

A Strictly insider previously told MailOnline that Layton is ‘not the first person with dance experience’ to have appeared on the show.

Experienced: Layton is a trained dancer and first appeared on stage at the age of 12

They added that he was “never trained in Latin and ballroom and was booked because he has a fantastic character.”

Others who have appeared on Strictly with dance experience include Kimberley Walsh, Abbey Clancy, Maisie Smith and Fleur East.

When Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts appeared on the show in 2018, she was criticized by fans for having an unfair advantage with her dancing experience.

Ashley regularly ended up in the bottom two after the public vote – despite high scores from the judges for her dancing with professional partner Giovanni Pernice.

Speaking about the criticism of his ‘unfair advantage’, Williams said: ‘I’ve taken it on the chin, I understand what everyone is saying. But if you could be a fly on the wall in this practice room, that’s not easy for me.”

And in another interview he said his stage experience was not directly relevant to Strictly, insisting: ‘I can’t stress enough how different (Strictly is)… it’s like a plumber trying to become an electrician!’

High score: Layton has scored 39 out of 40 twice and also claimed the first 10 ever awarded

A source told The Mail on Sunday that Layton’s co-stars are becoming increasingly frustrated at having to compete with the dance professional.

The source said: ‘Of course there have always been dancers of different levels on Strictly, that’s part of the greatness of the show.

‘But this is ridiculous, he is as good or even better than his professional partner.

“There is such an uneven playing field here that it is not a chance for any of the other contestants to win, even though viewers enjoy watching a celebrity’s journey.

“While there may not be a rule that professional dancers cannot participate, this is absolutely against the spirit of the show.

“Look at someone like Krishnan Guru-Murthy, he has built a huge fan base and is great to watch, and Angela Rippon. But they are blown out of the water every week by someone who is a professional dancer.’

COME STRICTLY DANCE 2023: THE PROFILES OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Angela Rippon

Age: 78

Profession: Journalist

Angela says: ‘Having been a Strictly fan since day one and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, as I’m about to turn 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge and perhaps the opportunity to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’

Amanda Abbington

Age: 49

Profession: Actress

Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually very shy and self-conscious, so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.”

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely exciting to confirm that I will be taking part in Britain’s most iconic dancing competition! It’s time to take it to the ballroom. I’m so excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!”

Age: 53

Profession: Journalist

Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused that I’m joining Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start dancing, but I’m a little worried about my general decline.”

Age: 40

Profession: Comedian and radio host

Eddy says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me understands that music and dance are so important and central to who I am. I’m so incredibly proud and honored that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 team. I promise I’ll give you everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.

Angela Scanlon

Age: 39

Profession: TV presenter

Angela says:I’m not particularly fit, I have no idea how my pelvic floor will react to this dancing. I’ve never danced, apart from drunkenly jiving at a wedding!’

Age: 26

Profession: Documentary filmmaker and former Love Island star

Zara says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my grandma and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We danced around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.”

Adam Thomas

Age: 34

Profession: Actor and presenter

Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life, but I like to learn and laugh with my professional. Take me to the dance floor… I can’t wait!’

Age: 22

Profession: Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to do Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine, so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

Age: 20

Profession: EastEnders star and model

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line-up, I can’t wait to start training as a professional dancer and add a few moves to my locker. I look forward to performing for everyone.”

Nigel Harman

Age: 49

Profession: Actor

Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show, I watched in awe as people twisted and turned around the screen. And now it’s my turn…gulp!’

Age: 57

Profession: Announcer and ex-tennis player

Annabel says: ‘I’ve always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and I’m looking forward to finding some joy in the process.’