Yahoo News JB Gill under extra ‘pressure’ on Strictly, says bandmate Aston Merrygold
The JLS star told Lorraine his friend did not have long to get used to dancing with a new partner while Amy Dowden is off sick.
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Aston Merrygold has admitted his JLS bandmate JB Gill is facing extra "pressure" on this week's Strictly Come Dancing as he has to get to know a new partner at short notice.
The singer has been dancing with Amy Dowden, but she is taking the week off after an ambulance was called for her at the end of last week's show and Lauren Oakley will be standing in for her in the Couple's Choice routine.
Merrygold also spoke about his link to Liam Payne and how the One Direction star's death had affected him.
What, how and why?
Merrygold knows a thing or two about the pressures of Strictly, having competed in the 2017 series – but he told Thursday's Lorraine that JLS bandmate JB Gill was under added stress this week as he has a new partner.
Last Saturday, an ambulance was called for Dowden at the end of the show and while she is apparently doing well now, she is taking the week off to recover while Lauren Oakley stands in for her in the Couple's Choice Icons Week routine.
Merrygold stayed tight lipped on what the performance would involve, saying of Gill: "We talk every day, but just because I know stuff doesn't mean I'm going to say."
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But he added of his friend's change in partner this week: "It is him and Lauren, and obviously for him I think having to switch partners so last minute and that whole thing is going to play a massive part in pressure. Sending lots of love to Amy as well."
In 2017, Merrygold made a shock early exit from the series after being tipped to win, and told how he had been advising Gill who has also found himself in the dance off despite being an early favourite.
Describing Strictly as a "different skill set" to the dancing they do in JLS, he said: "I think he's doing amazing, I said just continue what you're doing. I think for J now, it's just bring out the personality a bit more. I think we've only just scratched the surface with JB and what he can actually do, so I'm looking forward to these next few weeks.
"I think that show, I think everybody goes into it, regardless of whether you perform or not, no one's a ballroom or Latin dancer so everyone's reserved. I think now it's time for J to be like, ok now I can have some fun with this."
Aston Merrygold's shock over Liam Payne's death
Like One Direction, JLS first found fame on The X Factor and Merrygold shared his memories of Liam Payne, who he had met during Payne's first year auditioning for the show when he was just 14.
Payne died earlier this month aged 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
Merrygold said of his death: "It's still shocking now, I think it's still a very tender subject. From meeting Liam from the auditions of X Factor – not even X Factor, this was pre-television time, meeting this young, hungry, talented young man, to seeing the history that he's made with four other guys is second to none. All we can do is be proud of him, the legacy he's left behind and the beautiful family he's got.
"From when Liam was a solo act on X Factor, he didn't quite make it through that year, then he was around, we took him under our wing and it was amazing to get to know that person. Obviously he came back and auditioned a few years later and the rest is history as they say."
As host Ranvir Singh asked if Payne's death had made him "hold his bandmates tighter", he replied: "I just think everybody in general around you. Anything can happen at any time, so friends, family, bandmates, kids, it just makes you really realise the truly amazing people you've got in your life, just to hold them as tight as possible."
Lorraine airs on ITV1 at 9am on weekdays.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
