Actor Layton Williams has admitted to asking for "more money" from show bosses in order to pay for therapy sessions due to the subsequent attention and abuse he's received after signing up for Strictly.
The 29-year-old, whose CV boasts roles in the BBC's Bad Education and stage show Everybody's Talking About Jamie, is currently paired with dancer Nikita Kuzmin and the pair are one of the frontrunners to make it all the way to the end of the competition.
Williams even bagged a Strictly record this past weekend after being awarded a 10 from judge Motsi Mabuse - the earliest a 10 has been awarded for a Cha Cha in the show's history.
However, his time on the BBC show hasn't been without its controversy with some viewers irked by his inclusion in the line-up due to his previous dance and theatre experience.
The actor has been fiercely defended by the likes of Kuzmin and others from the Strictly crew, however, as Williams wasn't trained in ballroom dancing, specifically.
But given Williams is now appearing on-screen on a weekly basis to an audience of millions at home, the actor has opened up on the toll everything has taken on his wellbeing.
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin have impressed the judges on the dancefloor
BBC
Williams bemoaned the "constant" attention he's been receiving since starring in Strictly as he said: "I don't want to sound like Victoria Beckham but you can't go too far without being pestered and it can have a mental [effect]."
On whether the reception he receives is positive or negative, he went on: "It depends whether they are in a good mood or are drunk shouting at you.
"Sometimes when I do campaigns and things for social media I will look at my comments and I see things like, ‘Gay, sickening, disgusting, where are the manly men anymore?’"
Williams went on to estimate that "80 percent" of the comments he receives online are negative in nature and "drag everything you are proud of being [down]".
He went on to explain to OK!: "I ask for more money so I can pay for a therapist, I know I am going to have to get to Harley Street. I will have to have three sessions of therapy so I will book it myself."
Touching upon the newfound attention aimed his way, the Strictly star went on to share his fears for his safety as he divulged: "I am not that well protected.
"I get a bit uncomfortable sometimes. People say to me, ‘Get on the Tube’ or, ‘Get on the bus’, but I don’t feel safe. Maybe it is just in my brain and nobody is looking at me."
It hasn't been revealed how much money Williams has requested or the fee he received for appearing on Strictly in the first place.
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Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin are one of the favourites to win the series
BBC
Williams isn't the only star to receive online trolling since Strictly returned earlier this year.
Head judge Shirley Ballas hit back at one social media user who accused her of "drinking" after she awarded Eddie Kadi a score of 10 for his Week Three Couple's Choice.
While Kadi sailed through to this past weekend's fourth round following Ballas' score, he ended up in the dance-off against Jody Cundy.
Luckily for Kadi, he made it through to Week Five while Cundy was sent packing and joined Nikita Kanda and Les Dennis on the list of this year's eliminated Strictly stars.
