From the West End stage to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom, Layton Williams and Nikita perform a sensual Argentine Tango in week 8 of the hit BBC1 show. Once more Eurovision unites in dance, as Loreen sees her Eurovision 2023 winner, ‘Tattoo’ take centre stage on the Strictly dance floor.
Loreen features in Strictly Come Dancing
During week 8 of BBC1’s most famous celebrity dancing competition, keen viewers will have heard a familiar track in the show. Tonight, West End and TV acting star, Layton Williams and parter Nikita took to the floor and once again showed why Layton is also a star of the ballroom. The first all-male same-sex partnership on Strictly, stunned the audience and judges with their intensely passionate interpretation of Loreen’s Eurovision 2023 winner, ‘Tattoo’ to an Argentine Tango. Judges, Motsi and Shirley Ballas even gave them a standing ovation!
The pair in purple finished the night first place in the leaderboard with 39 out of a possible 40 points. Moreover the judges praised Layton for his artistry and footwork, as they created a break-up narrative within the Argentine Tango elements, throughout both solo and in-hold moments.
A-MAZ-ING!
Craig Revel Horwood, (Judge, Strictly)
I’m lost in the Layton magic.
Shirley Ballas, (Head Judge, Strictly)
Once more, Strictly proves itself as a platform for musicians looking for a streaming and sales boost in the UK charts. Not that Loreen needs to worry, with two number 2 chart hits in the UK with both Eurovision winners, as well as a UK and European Tour currently underway!
Tomorrow night will see the next elimination from the competition as the scores from the judges are combined with the viewers’ votes – much like Eurovision itself. UK viewers can tune in to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC1 and the iPlayer.
Eurovision and Strictly Come Dancing
Of course, this is not the first time Eurovision has found its way to the Strictly ballroom. Over the years, the producers who research the song choices for the show, have proven to be quite fond of Europe’s favourite singing competition. Throughout the shows’ history, the timing patterns of many dances have married well to the Eurovision winning songs of, Buck’s Fizz, ABBA and Lulu. Meanwhile the entries of Domenico Modugno, Gina G and Daði Freyr & Gagnamagnið have also featured in the show. Last year, Eurovision 2021 winners, Måneskin saw their cover of ‘Beggin’ taken to the dancefloor by Adam Peaty and Katya. In a longer form feature, we highlighted these routines in more detail here.
What did you think of Layton and Nikita’s performance to Loreen on Strictly? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2024 Eurovision season.
