Former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan didn’t hold back when it came to his thoughts on this year’s lineup.
This year, Love Island‘s Zara McDermott and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier have competed in the hopes of impressing judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood.
However, James, who left the BBC show in 2013, cautioned celebs who haven’t had any ‘dancing instruction’ to think twice about auditioning for the show.
This comes after West End artist Layton Williams received abusive online remarks because of his previous acting experience.
‘He [Layton] is a fully trained, professional dancer. When they came out, you had essentially two professional dancers next to each other,’ James told HELLO!
‘Let’s not say, “Oh it’s because [Layton’s] really talented and has worked really hard”. Because that kind of belittles our dancing world that someone can come out and be that good after a week’s training. You can’t.’
He continued: ‘It was probably one of my favourite dances I’ve ever seen on the show – but that’s only because he’s a professional dancer.
‘Do I feel Strictly are going too far by bringing on professionally trained l dancers? Yes.’
Given Layton’s acting experience, several Strictly fans assumed he had’studied’ dance, which he quickly denied before the suspicions could spread.
Taking to Twitter, the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie actor responded to a tweet that read: ‘not a dance expert as such but I am a dancer and know for a fact he will have studied ballroom and/or latin to some degree’.
Layton wrote back: ‘Lemme clear up this *fact* real quick.
‘I had my 1st introduction to Ballroom & Latin class in rehearsals yesterday (along with the rest of the @bbcstrictly cast) and it was so much fun xxx’
Layton has had a number of big roles throughout his career, having played the lead in Billy Elliot at the age of just 12.
He then went on to star in other stage productions including Hairspray and Rent.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC One.
Source My Celebrity Life.