Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams has shared the heartwarming response he received from his grandmother after learning he was partnered with Nikita Kuzmin.
But while the 29-year-old actor received positive responses from his family, Layton had to deal with even more trolls.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Strictly star shared his grandmother's sweet reaction.
He wrote: 'Just called my grandma in Jamaica and she was able to watch some of Strictly on the computer at a friend's house.
“She didn't know I was dancing with a man, but said she loved it and didn't care as long as I was happy.”
Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams, 29, has shared the heartwarming response he received from his grandmother after learning he was partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, 25
But while the actor received positive reactions from his family, Layton had to deal with even more trolls (pictured with dance partner Nikita)
But while he received an uplifting message from his grandmother, Layton had to hold his head high after dealing with 'exhausting' trolls.
In her defense, one fan wrote, “STOP this hate for @LaytonWilliams it's BULLYING ffs.
“The poor guy sees all these comments that everyone is tagging him in – how must that make him feel. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. What was ever kind?'
Layton replied directly to the supportive fan, writing, “Thanks Robin. Luckily I have thick skin, but it is so exhausting that so-called 'Strictly fans' do their utmost to drag me down in order to lift others up.
“Their favorite couples would be SO ashamed of their comments, and so should they. They will never dim my shine, great love.”
Nikita and Layton received a rare standing ovation from Craig Revel Horwood during Saturday night's semi-final.
The actor and his professional dance partner Nikita, 25, achieved a perfect 40 for the second week in a row as they tried to secure a place in next week's final.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the Strictly star shared his grandmother's sweet reaction
But while he received an uplifting message from his grandmother, Layton had to hold his head high after dealing with 'exhausting' trolls
Strictly Come Dancing's Layton received a rare standing ovation from Craig Revel Horwood during Saturday night's semi-final
The actor and his professional dance partner Nikita scored a perfect 40 for the second week in a row as they tried to secure a place in next week's final.
Last week Layton scored a perfect 40 for a mesmerizing Paso Doble, and again this week a perfect score for Charleston to Fit as a Fiddle by Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.
They first danced the Rumba to Rihanna's Lift Me Up, for which they received 36 out of 40 points, before leaving Craig, 58, stunned by their Charleston.
Craig stood up and gave them a very rare standing ovation for the routine as he clapped for them, while Layton and Nikita seemed very surprised by the praise from the strict judges.
Craig told them, “That's the best Charleston I've seen in twenty years.”
While Motsi Mabuse echoed him as she added: “There is nothing that has been better, and this is a testament to your hard work and everyone around you, well done.”
Craig, Motsi, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all gave Layton and Nikita 10 points for the routine, earning a perfect score for the second time.
Their latest dance comes after Nikita hit back at trolls who continued to make hurtful comments about Layton during his Strictly stint.
The pair discussed the ongoing trolling during a joint appearance on ITV's This Morning last week, with Nikita describing it as 'sad and unnecessary'.
They first danced the Rumba to Rihanna's Lift Me Up (pictured), for which they received 36 out of 40 points, before leaving Craig, 58, stunned by their Charleston
The pair appeared completely overwhelmed as they received their scores and Nikita broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his dance partner
Nikita made a cryptic comment about Layton still bringing people “joy” despite what's happening in his “personal life” while hinting at difficulties
Their latest dance comes after Nikita hit back at trolls who continued to make hurtful comments about Layton during his Strictly stint.
Layton is often targeted by trolls due to his West End background with some claiming the celebrity is a 'professional dancer' and that he has an 'unfair' advantage.
Regarding the hateful comments sent to him online, Layton said: 'It's like, “Can't you just dress like a man, please put on a suit!” and I'm like, “Girl, relax!''
Nikita was quick to defend Layton when he said, “We get a little defensive with our partners and sometimes see people saying things or saying things they shouldn't.
'Sometimes things happen to him too, and that is a personal side, I find it sad and unnecessary (the trolling). At the end of the day we just want to make people happy, we just want to put on a show…'
Layton added: 'I'm sure you know how it feels, you can have a thousand great messages and then only one (negative) and you're like, “Urgh!” but in these moments I've said it before and I'll say it again… even Beyoncé has haters, so!'
Layton has received tremendous praise for his incredible dancing on the show, but has also been brought down by hate.
He wrote, “Instead of coming at me with hateful comments, use your energy to shower your favorite celeb with love. We're pretty sure it will make us all feel a lot better!'
