Strictly’s JB Gill shares behind-the-scenes secrets after dance partner swap – why being in JLS hasn’t been an advantage
STRICTLY star JB Gill has opened up about swapping partners – and why being a JLS member hasn’t been an advantage.
The singer, 37, is one of just six remaining celebs in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking to The Sun’s TV Mag, JB opened up about his journey on the BBC show so far.
This includes switching dance partners from Amy Dowden to Lauren Oakley.
Amy pulled out of the competition to focus on recovery following a foot injury.
Addressing the change, JB said: “It is sad, because we had a fantastic partnership.
“You know, we were working very, very well together.
“And you know, with any sort of activity based pursuit, you’ve got the risk of potential injury.
“She’s been through so much over the last year, year and a half anyway.
“It was a bit sad, obviously, to have this news for her, but also for us and for the partnership.
“But, you know, the show as they say must go on.
“My focus has always been sort of the next week, putting one foot in front of the other, and putting the best performance on as possible.
“Of course, the most important thing is, is Amy’s health, making sure that she’s fit and well.”
Continuing, JB addressed whether Amy was still working with him and Lauren on their routines.
He revealed: “She was obviously involved with the first week when we had Couples Choice.
“Initially that was supposed to be myself dancing with her.
“Since the announcement that she’s no longer be taking part in the rest of this series, that’s sort of gone over to Lauren which I think is fair.
“Of course, Lauren’s come in and it’s late in the day.
“You’re then trying to establish a partnership when other contestants have sort of had that as Amy and I have for the previous seven, eight weeks.
“So you know, it’s not an easy job for her to come in and obviously for me to sort of switch and use a different partner, a different person.
“But I’m sure you know, the pros choreograph most of the routines.
“So now I’m working with Lauren, and she’s sort of the point person, she does the choreography, and we work together on the routine that we’re going to perform on the weekend.”
Elsewhere, JB discussed how being a member of JLS does not give him any advantage in the competition.
The star said: “As part of JLS, we do follow choreography, but we’re not trained dancers.
“I’ve never been a trained dancer. I’ve never gone to a class or been taught by a teacher when it comes to dance.
“So for me, it’s very much new. Every single week I’m going into learning a different Ballroom, or Latin dance or speciality dance, and it’s a learning curve.
“It is tough, of course, because firstly, it’s something new.
“Second, you don’t get a great deal of time.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
“You’re trying to do in four days, what you know, some of these pros have been doing for 15 years, and trying to do it to the best of your ability.
“And the body takes, you know, takes a bit of a hit, and just trying to manage all the other stuff, as I say, like life and work and so on.
“So it’s not easy, but it’s great fun, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer.