West End star and Strictly Come Dancing sensation Layton Williams has finally opened up about the vicious body shaming he endured in the lead-up to his groundbreaking appearance on the BBC ballroom show – revealing how cruel online trolls targeted his physique, confidence and very presence in the competition before he even stepped onto the famous dancefloor.

The 29-year-old actor and dancer, who captivated the nation during Strictly 2023 with his jaw-dropping routines alongside pro partner Nikita Kuzmin, has spoken candidly in recent interviews about the ‘overwhelming’ wave of negativity that hit him hard – including nasty comments about his body shape, size and how he ‘should’ look as a male dancer.

In a powerful moment that’s now going viral, Layton admitted the attacks came thick and fast even before the series aired, with keyboard warriors questioning everything from his fitness level to his right to compete at all. ‘It wasn’t easy for me,’ he confessed in one emotional sit-down, echoing the pain many fans had suspected but never fully heard articulated until now.

The trolling intensified once the show began, but Layton has made clear that the pre-Strictly whispers were particularly stinging – chipping away at his self-esteem as he prepared for what would become one of the most talked-about series in the show’s history. Critics (many hiding behind anonymous accounts) fixated on his slender frame, suggesting he didn’t have the ‘right’ build for certain dances or that his body ‘didn’t belong’ in the hyper-glamorous, often body-conscious world of professional ballroom.

‘Everyone thinks they’re a critic nowadays, but girl, where are your credentials?’ Layton quipped in a later interview, blending sharp wit with underlying hurt as he addressed the relentless judgement. But behind the sassy clapback was a deeper truth: the comments hurt, deeply, and they came at a vulnerable time when he was already pushing his body and mind to the limit in rehearsals.

Layton’s journey on Strictly was nothing short of triumphant – he made it all the way to the final, earning rave reviews from judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood for his technical precision, emotional depth and show-stopping charisma. His Argentine Tango with Nikita was hailed as one of the series’ highlights, with the pair holding each other in tears after the performance. Yet throughout, the shadow of online hate loomed large.

Fans first noticed something was off when Layton addressed the ‘fix’ accusations early on – viewers claiming his West End background (including starring in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) gave him an unfair edge. But the body-shaming element was more insidious: cruel jabs about his ‘skinny’ frame, suggestions he was ‘too feminine’ for certain lifts, or outright nasty remarks questioning his masculinity in a sport that still grapples with rigid gender norms in dance.

In October 2023, as the trolling reached fever pitch, Layton hit back publicly, urging haters to ‘shower with love instead of hateful comments.’ He shared how the negativity had left him needing therapy – even joking on a podcast that he deserved ‘more money so I can pay a therapist’ after the show ‘shredded’ his body through intense training while simultaneously boosting his confidence in other ways.

‘It’s not easy for me!’ he told The Guardian in a candid chat, debunking the myth that his prior experience made everything smooth sailing. ‘The pressure is real, the training is brutal, and the comments… they get to you.’

The body-shaming wasn’t isolated to anonymous trolls. Some viewers fixated on his appearance during rehearsals clips or live shows, with one particularly vicious wave coming before his first performance when speculation about his ‘fitness’ for the demands of Strictly ran rampant online. Layton later revealed he felt the weight of those expectations – knowing eyes were already judging his body before he danced a single step.

Fellow Strictly stars rallied around him. Pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin became his rock, with the pair forming a bond that went far beyond choreography. Judges praised his resilience, with Shirley Ballas (who has spoken openly about her own battles with body image and bullying from teachers calling her ‘too fat’) offering quiet support behind the scenes.

Fans, meanwhile, flooded social media with love. When Layton shared glimpses of his struggles, the response was overwhelming: ‘You are beautiful exactly as you are,’ one viral comment read. ‘Your body carried you through incredible dances – ignore the hate!’ Hashtags like #StandWithLayton and #BodyPositivity trended, turning the narrative from shame to celebration.

Layton’s experience highlights a darker side of Strictly – a show celebrated for inclusivity yet still plagued by body scrutiny. Past contestants have spoken of similar pressures: female celebs facing fat-shaming, male stars questioned for not being ‘muscular enough.’ Layton’s case, as an openly gay man with a naturally lean build, added layers of intersectional prejudice that made the attacks even more personal.

In the aftermath of Strictly, Layton has continued to thrive. He returned to the West End in Cabaret, earning rave reviews for his shape-shifting performance, and has been vocal about mental health and self-acceptance. ‘I like the drama of the lighting,’ he joked in one interview, but the subtext was clear: he’s reclaiming his narrative, body and all.

His recent reflections on the pre-Strictly body shaming feel like a full-circle moment – a reminder that even stars who dazzle under the ballroom lights carry invisible scars from the words that hit before the music starts.

As Layton continues to inspire with his talent and tenacity, fans are calling for more kindness in the comments sections. ‘Choose joy,’ as he urged – words that resonate louder than any troll’s keyboard warrior rant.

The Strictly family – and the nation – stands firmly behind him. Because when it comes to Layton Williams, it’s not just about the dances; it’s about the courage to keep shining, no matter what the haters throw.

We’re sending all our love to Layton – keep being unapologetically you.