Layton Williams made Strictly Come Dancing history during Saturday’s live show.
After dancing a Cha Cha Cha with his partner Nikita Kuzmin, the West End star, 29, received a standing ovation from judge Motsi Mabuse.
Viewers saw a triumphant Layton top the leaderboard after receiving 37 points from the judges and awarded the earliest 10 for a Cha Cha Cha in the series history.
After he finished dancing to Million Dollar Bill by Whitney Houston and made his way over to Tess Daly, the TV presenter said: ‘Wow what a reaction in the room’.
Talking about his performance Shirley Ballas said: ‘Well last week I told you about your partnering skills. You take constructive criticism very very well.
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 2 Mind blown: Layton Williams made Strictly Come Dancing history on Saturday nights live show with his partner Nikita Kuzmin](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563741-12631207-image-a-81_1697312629697.jpg)
Mind blown: Layton Williams made Strictly Come Dancing history on Saturday nights live show with his partner Nikita Kuzmin
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 4 Sensational: Viewers saw a triumphant Layton top the leaderboard after receiving 37 points from the judges and awarded the earliest 10 for a Cha Cha Cha in the series history](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563775-12631207-image-a-82_1697312634535.jpg)
Sensational: Viewers saw a triumphant Layton top the leaderboard after receiving 37 points from the judges and awarded the earliest 10 for a Cha Cha Cha in the series history
‘You came back here, you didn’t try to outshine anybody, you realised it is team work and team work is what you did.’
She added: ‘You are back in the game!’
Seemingly speechless Anton Du Beke then said a few words: ‘I mean for goodness sake. It was just brilliant.’
The usually sharp tongued Craig revel Horwood simply said: ‘Million dollar bill. Million dollar dance.’
Last to give her thoughts was Motsi who exclaimed: ‘It was soft, but strong. Powerful. You listened as Shirley said and we loved it.
‘You add a whole kind of flavour to this whole competition. I could watch it day and night. Bring. It on!’
Up in the Clauditoriam, Tess’ co host Claudia Winkleman asked Layton: ‘Shirley said look at the way these two work – that must mean everything?’
Layton then replied: ‘It’s really good. I don’t think people realise, I’m working really hard.
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 6 Working it: The duo danced a Cha Cha Cha to Million Dollar Bill by Whitney Houston onthe fourth week of the live dancing competition](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563745-12631207-image-a-83_1697312652223.jpg)
Working it: The duo danced a Cha Cha Cha to Million Dollar Bill by Whitney Houston onthe fourth week of the live dancing competition
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 8 Learning: During movie week Layton was told about his partnering skills from head judge Shirley Ballas who said she could tell he had listened and that he takes constructive criticism very very well'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563749-12631207-image-a-84_1697312656935.jpg)
Learning: During movie week Layton was told about his partnering skills from head judge Shirley Ballas who said she could tell he had listened and that he takes constructive criticism very very well’
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 10 High praise: Anton described the performance as 'just brilliant' whilst Craig said it was a 'million dollar dance'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563759-12631207-image-a-86_1697312671150.jpg)
High praise: Anton described the performance as ‘just brilliant’ whilst Craig said it was a ‘million dollar dance’
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 12 Working hard: Despite being a West End star Layton praised his dance partner for pushing him and said that he didn't think people realised how hard he's working to impress](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563763-12631207-image-a-88_1697312694137.jpg)
Working hard: Despite being a West End star Layton praised his dance partner for pushing him and said that he didn’t think people realised how hard he’s working to impress
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 14 Great work: Viewers saw a triumphant Layton top the leaderboard after being awarded 357 points from the judges while Jody Cundy was at the other end](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563789-12631207-image-a-89_1697312700433.jpg)
Great work: Viewers saw a triumphant Layton top the leaderboard after being awarded 357 points from the judges while Jody Cundy was at the other end
![Layton Williams becomes the first-ever recipient of an early perfect 10 score for a Cha Cha Cha on Strictly: 'Your unique style adds a refreshing taste to the competition!' 16 Congratulations: The pair and other contestants celebrated the good news with hugs, whopping and lots of jumping](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/14/20/76563785-12631207-image-a-90_1697312703103.jpg)
Congratulations: The pair and other contestants celebrated the good news with hugs, whopping and lots of jumping
‘Even harder sometimes to impress. I’m just really overwhelmed. I’m buzzing.’
Turning to face the judges to hear their scores, Layton – who has starred in Billy Elliot and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – received a 9 from Craig, a 10 from Motsi and a 9 from both Shirley and Anton, giving him a total score of 37.
Claudia then told a shocked Layton that it was the highest score of the series and the earliest 10 for a cha-cha in Strictly history.
The actor is fast becoming a fan favourite after viewers heaped praise on him as he danced in drag for Movie Week last Saturday, sporting a bright pink top and a black skirt for the ballroom dance.