Layton Williams has broken his silence after missing Strictly Come Dancing 2023 during Saturday's live final.
The actor, 29, and his partner Nikita Kumzin, as well as fellow finalists Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, were defeated by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
However, Layton and Nikita still impressed during the competition, topping the leaderboard in the finals with a near-perfect score and inspiring other young boys to dance.
After enjoying the raucous Strictly afterparty, Layton took to his Instagram for the first time since Sunday's final.
He shared a sweet post from a devastated fan, who was saddened that Layton wasn't crowned champion, but praised him and Nikita for their impact.
Layton Williams has broken his silence after missing out on winning Strictly Come Dancing 2023 during Saturday's live final
The actor, 29, and his partner Nikita Kumzin, as well as fellow finalists Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, were defeated by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
However, Layton and Nikita still impressed throughout the competition, topping the leaderboard in the final with a near-perfect score and inspiring other young boys to dance.
Posting a photo of their son wearing a glittery blue dress, they wrote: 'Lots of heartache in our house today over the @bbcstrictly result.
“@laytonwilliams @nikita_kuzmin thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing him that being completely, fabulously and unapologetically himself is something to be celebrated.”
Layton reposted the touching message and commented with a heart and an emoji holding back tears of emotion.
He then also took a photo from his hot tub, holding up a cup of tea as he wrote, “Aaaaannnd… Relax.”
It comes after viewers insisted Layton was the 'real winner' of the show and was 'robbed' in the finale.
While many were happy to see 22-year-old Ellie secure the win, some suggested 'the most talented competitor ever' lost when lifting the Glitterball.
Fans claimed that Layton should have won the competition, arguing that he consistently scored higher and topped the leaderboard with 119 points, falling short of a perfect score only once.
However, during the finale, unlike the rest of the series, the jury votes count for nothing, so the winner is entirely dependent on the public vote.
Layton shared a sweet post on his Instagram from a devastated fan, who was saddened that Layton was not crowned champion but praised him and Nikita for their impact
He then also took a photo from his hot tub, holding up a cup of tea as he wrote: 'Aaaaannnd… Relax'
Reacting to the news on social media after the result, one person said: 'Ellie is a deserved winner but my god Layton has been robbed. Possibly the most talented contestant Strictly has EVER had.”
Another agreed, saying: 'Great finale and I have nothing against Ellie and Vito but Layton and Nikita were robbed. Such a pity..'
Another said: 'Layton was robbed. I haven't been this furious since Faye was robbed of Steps. That's why you can't trust the British public to vote.”
Another said there was a reason behind it, after Layton endured homophobic trolling during the series, writing: 'Layton was robbed of the trophy. Shows that homophobia is alive and well in Britain!! Why am I not surprised…'
Another said: 'Layton got robbed! A real star (as he has been since Beautiful People tbh).”
Another said: 'Layton and Nikita were robbed. They are the real winners and danced the best tonight. Rigged rigged rigged.”
Another person wrote, “Although Ellie and Vito were great, you Layton got robbed. We've been watching you since Beautiful People. What a star you are.'
Another person pointed to Ellie's mistake, writing: 'Layton and Nikita were robbed of the Strictly Glitterball when Ellie messed up one of her lifts and still won, disappointing.'
It comes after viewers insisted Layton was the 'real winner' of the show and was 'robbed' in the finale
Some suggested that 'the most talented competitor ever' had lost out lifting the Glitterball, arguing that he scored higher and topped the leaderboard with 119 points in the final.
It's not all disappointment for Layton, however, after it was alleged and Bobby is at the center of a TV battle for tell-all documentaries, reports suggest.
They have apparently both been approached by production bosses to make documentaries about the problems they have faced in their lives.
Despite missing out on the Glitterball Trophy, the future still looks bright for the runners-up who are set to sign big money deals.
According to The mirrorindependent production companies that make films for the BBC, among others, want to sign them both after the show.
The publication reports that 20-year-old Bobby has been approached for a documentary about parental loss, following the tragic death of his mother Jade Goody.
While Layton would explore what can be done to stop homophobia online after dealing with some serious trolling during his time on the show.
A source said: 'Bobby and Layton have not only captured the hearts of audiences, they've also caught the attention of TV bosses with their emotional journeys on Strictly.
However, it's not all disappointment for Layton after it was claimed and Bobby is at the center of a TV battle over tell-all documentaries, according to reports
Independent production companies that make films for broadcasters including the BBC want to sign them both after the show (Bobby and Dianne pictured)
The publication reports that 20-year-old Bobby (pictured) has been approached for a documentary about parental loss, following the tragic death of his mother Jade Goody.
“There is already competition between terrestrial channels and this is likely to lead to a bidding war.”
They followed the likes of former winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the show's first deaf champion and later made a documentary called Signs For Change.
The show's first disabled contestant – Ellie Simmons – also made a documentary called Finding My Secret Family, which followed her attempt to find her birth mother.
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