BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Layton Williams dealt huge blow days before semi-final

Strictly Come Dancing fans believe Layton Williams could have been handed a ‘death sentence’ by the show’s producers ahead of the semi-final.

The 29 year old actor and his pro dance partner Nikita Kuzmin have been told they have to dance a Rumba and a Charleston on Saturday night’s showdown – and viewers of the hit BBC programme know they are among some of the most demanding routines contestants can face.

The pair found themselves in the dance-off two weeks ago but survived thanks to the votes of judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke – with TV presenter Angela Scanlon sent home instead.

However, Layton and Nikita were given a free pass to the semi-final after the public vote was cancelled at the weekend because former EastEnders actorNigel Harmaninjured a rib in rehearsals – leaving him unable to continue in the competition.

But fans believe that, while the challenging nature of the Rumba and the Charleston give Layton and Nikita the chance to shine, the routines could also spell the end for them in the competition.

One wrote on social media: "A Layton and Nikita Rumba and Charleston, that is literally all I could have wanted, just hope this rumba isn't a death sentence like it is for so many other contestants. If done right I think it could be really beautiful."

Another added: “Usually I'd be scared of a celeb doing a rumba in the semi final but I think Layton and Nikita are gonna smash it.”

Following Nigel’s dramatic withdrawal from the competition, Layton and Nikita are through to the weekend’s semi-final along with EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and his partner Dianne Buswell, Coronation Street's Ellie Leach and her pro partner Vito Coppola, and ex tennis star Annabel Croft and her partner Johannes Radebe.

Casualty actor Nigel discussed his disappointment at having to leave the competition on Saturday night’s show with host Claudia Winkelman.

“I was leaping off a rostrum, and was about to be caught by some very handsome men, and as I flew I was Peter Pan – but as I landed, I was in A&E," quipped the injured star.

Nigel went on: "I’ve done something to my rib, basically and it’s quite painful. And I’m a little bit high on painkillers as well, but I’m having a lovely time!”

On his experience in the competition, he added: “I’ve loved it and I am loving it. It’s too soon to say loved. This hasn’t really sunk in, and as I watched everyone come down the stairs – it’s ‘Oh, this is real, I’m not part of this anymore’, and that was quite sad.”

The actor even admitted he had been avoiding his dance partner all day as it made it "too real" to realise their journey together was now over.

Following Nigel's comments, his professional partner Katya Jones added: “It’s quite hard to talk right now, I’m not going to lie – but I have absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dance floor.”

Meanwhile, it has been reported this week that Nigel ‘kicked off’ at his wife Lucy Liemann off-camera as he vented his frustrations during Blackpool week. It was also reported that his ‘mood swings’ led to tension among the crew backstage.

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