JB Gill defends Strictly Come Dancing trained dancers
JB Gill - a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing 2024 - thinks they have no “more advantage than anyone else”.
JB Gill has defended the trained dancers taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, saying they do not have “more advantage than anyone else”.
Viewers have blasted the producers of the BBC's Latin and Ballroom dance show for signing the likes of actor Lewis Cope and actress Amber Davies, as they have dance experience.
JB thinks that will not help them - who insist on being novices in Latin and Ballroom - but their stage performance background will.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at the 2025 Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, JB explained: "They're not trained in Latin or Ballroom.
"It possibly might help from a performance perspective. If people are used to performing, of course, that will help, because there's an element of stage presence and performance that's needed in every routine.
"I think that's why a lot of the actors do well because, although they might not necessarily be trained in dance, the fact that they're able to bring characterisation to what they do really, really helps.
“So, I don't think it gives them any more advantage than anybody else.
"If someone's a great actor, even if they've never danced, they're able to bring that element to what they do and what they put out on a Saturday night."
Lewis, 30, finished as a runner-up with the hip-hop dance troupe Ruff Diamond on Sky One's Got to Dance in 2013.
Amber, 29, has appeared in multiple West End productions, including 9 to 5.
JB, 38, pointed out that they need to learn more dance styles than what they already know.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2024 finalist continued: "So I think at the end of the day, we all have our strengths, we have our weaknesses, and ultimately, you're learning from scratch every single week.
"For most people, even if they've done one style before and been involved in maybe the Christmas special or something, you know, there are so many different styles to pick up and learn.
"They all have their different traits; they're all difficult to learn in a week. You've got to think, these pros have been doing it for years on end, in order to be professional.
"So to expect professional performances for someone who's done it for a week is [unrealistic]."
The JLS boy band member - who won the 2012 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special - added: "But, everyone goes out there, everyone gives it their all and ultimately, you want to see good dancing.
“If someone's got a good background in dancing or performing, great. Brilliant."
