Who is JB Gill? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2024 contestant and pop star
The JLS star is now paired with Lauren Oakley.
Former JLS singer JB Gill is riding high coming into Blackpool Week of Strictly Come Dancing 2024, after he and new dance partner, Lauren Oakley, made it to the top of the leaderboard for the second time last week.
Their high-energy Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes blew the judges away and scored an impressive 37 points.
The couple's stellar performance meant they sailed through to Blackpool. This week, the couple are dancing the Quickstep to Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley. Will they remain at the top of the leaderboard for a third week in a row?
Lauren took on the role as JB's partner after his original professional dance partner, Amy Dowden, fell ill, and then later had to pull out of future episodes due to a foot injury.
Writing on Instagram after the news was announced that she would have to leave this year's season, Dowden said: "My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life.
"To all the fans, to my loved ones, my Strictly family thank you. JB I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader."
As JB and Lauren return to the dancefloor this week, read on to find out everything you need to know about the singer, and how he feels about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
Who is JB Gill?
Age: 37
Job: Singer
Instagram: @jbgill
Strictly partner: Lauren Oakley. Previously, Amy Dowden
JB Gill is a singer best known for being a member of boy band JLS, who were the runners-up of The X Factor in 2008.
While the group disbanded in 2013, they reunited in 2020 for a reunion tour, and have since been filling everyone will nostalgia with their performances.
Gill previously appeared on and won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2012 following his jive with former Strictly pro Ola Jordan.
Beyond JLS, Gill has appeared on Countryfile, The Jump and Celebrity MasterChef.
JB Gill's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Waltz (7+8+8+8) = 31
Week 2: Cha Cha (7+7+6+7) = 27
Week 3: American Smooth (7+8+8+9) = 32
Week 4: Rumba (7+8+7+8) = 30
Week 5: Jive (7+8+7+8) = 30
Week 6: Foxtrot (7+9+8+8) = 32
Week 7: Couple's Choice (9+10+10+10) = 39
Week 8: Samba (9+9+9+10) = 37
What is JB Gill dancing to in Week 8 on Strictly?
JB Gill and professional dancer Lauren Oakley will be performing the Quickstep to Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley.
What has JB Gill said about joining Strictly 2024?
"I danced in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago and LOVED it, so when I got the call to join Strictly this year, it was an immediate yes from me," Gill said.
"I'm raring to go and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys. From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs - I'm here to embrace it all!"
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Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 16th November at 6:45pm on BBC One.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Entertainment and Factual Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
Aaliyah Harry
