Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb joins Strictly with Scottish dance training

Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb has joined Strictly Come Dancing, with revelations of two years of dance school training reigniting debate about experienced contestants' advantage. Robb, who plays McKenzie Boyd, studied at The Dance School of Scotland from 2007 to 2009 before attending the Royal Scottish Academy. He credited the school for shaping his performer career. Also joining this series are Love Island winner Cach Mercer and West End's Bethany Antonia. The yearly debate persists between those citing unfair advantage and those valuing high-scoring performances, intensified by past West End stars like Amber Davies and Layton Williams, while professionals argue ballroom is a separate discipline.