BBC Strictly Come Dancing's JB Gill has been 'trading notes' with former finalist ahead of debut

JB Gill
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images for the NTA's)


JB Gill has revealed he's been 'trading notes' with a former Strictly Come Dancing finalist as he prepares to make his show debut. The JLS star is among the famous faces who will me appearing in the ballroom this year.

The 18 celebrities who have signed up to the BBC One dance contest this year are currently in training for the first live show, in which each couple performs for the first time live, which will air on Saturday, September 21.

The pre-recorded launch show, however, airs this Saturday (September 14) during which fans will get to see the celebrities paired with their professional partner for the first time.

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It is the first time fans will get to see who JB has been partnered with and ahead of the big episode, he joined Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show to reveal all the Strictly gossip.

Although he wasn't able to unveil the name just yet, he did jokingly tease of his partner: "It's a lady. She can dance." He added: "When I found out who I got I was over the moon, I was so excited. I've met them before and they were so lovely."

JB also admitted he's been trading notes with Fleur, who of course made it all the way to the final alongside partner Vito Coppola in 2022. He said: "Fleur's Strictly journey was incredible. I came down to watch with my wife as we are great friends as well, so it was nice to experience that from my end. We have traded notes a little bit so far."

Expanding on what tips she's passed on, Fleur said: "Just kind of like how to manage the load because it's a lot of work. How to pace your week, I think that has been the main thing."

JB is set to make his ballroom debut -Credit:PA
JB is set to make his ballroom debut -Credit:PA

And despite the singer, TV star and farmer showing off his dancing ability during his time in boyband JLS, it sounds like it's a completely new form for him. The 37-year-old said: "It's just so alien, even the counts are just weird. You're trying to get your head around it and trying not to do what you are used to."

JB's JLS band mate Aston Merrygold took part in the popular dancing show back in 2017, and despite being amazing, he was controversially voted off in Week Seven, leaving fans in shock.

Admitting his aim is to get further than Aston, JB told the guys: "The aim is for redemption certainly. We've got to get past Week Seven. That's the initial aim, but listen, my mum always has a saying whenever I do anything, whether it's this, or a school exam growing up, she used to say to me 'someone has to do it, why can't it be you?'. So someone has to win Strictly 2024, I mean, why can't it be me?"

The full celebrity line-up for Strictly 2024 -Credit:PA
The full celebrity line-up for Strictly 2024 -Credit:PA

However, if he was to make it all the way, it sounds like JB knows he's got tough competition from some of his fellow contestants. Telling Fleur who he thinks his biggest rivals will be, JB said: "I genuinely believe there's some really talented dancers in the group. I know Sarah Hadland, I've worked with her before with the boys and she's such a bundle of energy and I know she's got some hips and toes in there.

"Shayne (Ward) of course, he comes from a performing background as well. I know him very well from The X Factor and I know that he's definitely going to be good. Tasha (Ghouri), she's danced, although it will be a different style of dancing, similarly to me. She's got that element of performance, she's definitely going to be one to watch.

"There's so many different people. Jamie (Borthwick) won the Christmas special last year. I know he's getting a bit of stick for that, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything else in terms of the longevity of the show, but he's definitely going to be one to watch as well."