Strictly Come Dancing final: who will hoof their way to glitter ball glory?

The actor Layton Williams, pictured with his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, has been hailed by the judges as one of the best-ever Strictly contestants. Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA

Is Strictly Come Dancing about to see its first same-sex winners? Going into the BBC ballroom contest’s grand final on Saturday night, the actor Layton Williams and his professional partner Nikita Kuzmin are the in-form pairing. They would make hoofing history by lifting the fabled glitter ball.

Same-sex couples were introduced in 2020, with the UK edition lagging behind several international versions. This year’s pair have already matched the achievement of John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, who reached the 2021 final. If they go one better by clinching the coveted trophy, it would be a landmark moment for diversity and representation on primetime TV. Better Layton than never.