STRICTLY judge Craig Revel Horwood has taken a swipe at Layton Williams in a new interview hours before the winner is announced.
The catty panellist has revealed he never thought the West End star would make tonight's final.
Speaking on presenter Claudia Winkleman's BBC Radio 2 show earlier today, Craig admitted he doubted the Bury lad's popularity with the public following backlash over his previous dance experience.
The Aussie star, 58, said: "I could see he could dance but he was in heels, I remember thinking 'wow I think he's good but will he get to the final? Probably not'.
"Mostly great dancers don't do well on the show," he added.
Craig's comments come as the show has been dogged by a "fix" row all season long, with some viewers believing Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Billy Elliott star Layton has an "advantage" over the other contestants on the series.
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After being abused by trolls for weeks during his time in the competition, Layton spoke out and sent a message to his haters this week.
He laughed: “People are a little bit grumpy… I’m like, cheer up!
“It’s just a cheeky high kick, a flip and a lip! So just get into it.”
He added: “I was aware of the fact it might have some noise but we’ve been able to manage it and it’s not defining my journey.
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“What’s defining my journey is what we’ve been able to do and who we’ve been able to inspire, not people that are keyboard warriors. They’re just a percentage.
“When I am out on the streets, it’s woah! I was shopping on Sunday in Selfridges doing my thing and the love, I tell you, is crazy.
“I’m going to look back on my Strictly journey and smile. I’m not going to be thinking about no trolls, let’s just say that.”
Gormer Strictly pro Robin Windsor recently waded into the war and taken a stand for Layton.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Robin fumed: "STOP this hatred for @LaytonWilliams it’s BULLYING ffs.
"The poor guy sees all these comments everyone tags him in – how is that supposed to make him feel?"
He then insisted the trolls should be "ashamed" as he issued another brutal put down.
Robin, who appeared on the show between 2010 and 2013, continued: "You should all be ashamed of [yourselves]. What ever happened to be KIND?"
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Layton retweeted his post, adding, "Thanks Robin. Luckily I have thick skin but it's so draining that so called "Strictly fans" go out of their way to drag me down to lift others up.
"Their fave couples would be SO embarrassed by their comments & so should they. They'll never dim my shine. Big love x."
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