Strictly’s Layton Williams suspects the judges score him more harshly due to his West End background

Strictly Come Dancing star Leighton Williams suspects the judges are judging him more harshly than his fellow contestants.

The West End star, 29, has been at the center of claims over his dancing background, but revealed he thinks training is a bigger hurdle.

Speaking with Guardianhe admitted that he thinks the judges are scoring him with his musical theater in mind.

However, he insisted: ‘I’m not sad about it – I want to rise to the challenge.’

Speaking about viewers’ negative reactions to his past experience, Leighton added: ‘I took it on the chin; I understand what everyone is saying.’

Leighton is known for his starring role in the musical series Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, as well as his starring role in the TV series Bad Education.

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Strictly for comment.

Former Strictly pro James Jordan recently weighed in on the ongoing ‘collusion’ surrounding trained dancers competing in the celebrity line-up.

The dancer, 45, who appeared professionally on Strictly from 2006 to 2013, claimed that if celebrities don’t already have dance training, then they have ‘no chance’ on the BBC show.

Citing Leighton as an example, James revealed that his performance was among his ‘favourite dances ever’.

“But that’s only because Leighton, who is famous for his starring role in the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, is a professional gamer,” James said.

Interview with Hello! he explained: “He’s a fully trained, professional dancer. When they came out, you basically had two professional dancers side by side.

“Let’s not say, ‘Oh, it’s because (Leighton’s) really talented and he’s worked really hard.’ Because it belittles our dance world that someone can come out and be that good after a week of training. You can not.

“That was probably one of my favorite dances I’ve ever seen on the show – but that’s only because he’s a professional dancer.”

James continued: “Do I feel that Strictly is going too far by bringing in professionally trained l dancers? Yes.

“I would actually say to anyone thinking of doing Strictly, ‘Don’t do Strictly unless you’re trained in some way shape or form because you’ve got no chance.’

It has come under fire for claims of cheating in recent years after stars with apparent dance experience signed up, which many viewers feel gives them an unfair advantage.

Pussicat Doll Ashley Roberts, Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, EastEnders actress Maisie Smith and X Factor star Fleur East have all come under fire for their pre-performance dance experience.

However, many theater school-trained participants claim that their dance skills count against the audience vote.

Actress Molly Rainford, a former student of Sylvia Young, has blamed her drama school education for repeatedly ending up in terrible dancing.