Layton Williams and Ellie Leach will be taking to the dance floor each weekend in the popular Saturday night programme. Ellie Leach, 22, is a past pupil of Fairfield High School for Girls in Audenshaw, while Layton Williams, 29, danced at Centre Pointe Dance School in Denton.
As we gear up for the first episode of the competition tomorrow, after a spectacular launch show last week, let's cast our eyes on two local stars taking part in the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' 2023.
Two local stars, Ellie Leach and Layton Williams, both with Tameside connections, will be strutting their stuff and reaching for the coveted glitter ball in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing BBC show.
Ellie became a household name thanks to her standout role in Coronation Street playing Faye Windass. Originally from Bury, Ellie played teenage mum Faye since 2011, before leaving the show in May this year.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to do Strictly, always! Ever since I was younger, I’ve been obsessed with dancing and watching dancing. I used to do tap and ballet when I was younger, but I’m not trained.
“I think just coming out of Coronation Street, it’s amazing to have a new experience and do something that I have never done before.
"I’m just really excited to have fun, but obviously, to win would be amazing, an absolute dream come true, but also, being part of this journey is already a dream come true. So, I’m excited to ride the wave and see where I end up,” she added.
Ellie’s former high school headteacher Mrs Stephanie Bateman has wished her the best in the popular dance show and her future endeavours.
She said: “We are thrilled for Ellie and wish her all the very best on her Strictly journey. “As a school community, we are behind her and will follow her progress, vote for her, and watch the show. We can’t wait to watch! “She is a lovely person and embodies our Fairfield values. She will work incredibly hard; I know what she’s like. I couldn’t be happier for her as her ex-headteacher. Come on, Ellie!”
Meanwhile, Layton has captivated audiences both on stage and on screen with his magnetic presence and boundless versatility. Best known for starring in BBC comedy Bad Education, and stage shows Billy Elliott and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Layton also studied at Centre Pointe Dance School in Denton.
He said: “I trained in jazz, tap and ballet to a certain degree. So, dance is in me; it’s a core feeling, and I love it, and it’s my passion.
“But this world of Latin and Ballroom is completely new to me, so that’s what I’m excited to explore.”
He also shared that as a perfectionist, he considers himself his biggest competitor.
The 21st series of BBC’s multi-award-winning Strictly Come Dancing launched on Saturday, when hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcomed the contestants as they made their dancing debut and got their professional dancing partner pairing. Other celebrities taking part are: Adam Thomas, Annabel Croft, Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Angela Scanlon, Bobby Brazier, Eddie Kadi, Jody Cundy, Krishnan Guru Murthy, Les Dennis, Nigel Harman, Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott.
