Strictly favourite JB Gill hits insists he's never had a dance lesson

Ever since the current series began, Strictly favourite J B Gill has been accused of having an unfair advantage because of his dance background as part of boy band JLS. 

And as the judges have awarded him high marks, the criticism has only got worse.

But Gill, who shot to fame on X Factor in 2008, has now hit back - telling The Mail on Sunday: ‘People will believe whatever they want to believe. I’ve never, ever had a dance lesson. I’ve never attended a dance class.

‘Of course, I dance as part of JLS. So I’ve had choreographed routines. But, as you can imagine, those are pretty much set in stone. 

'There’s a big difference between that and what we do week in, week out on Strictly.

‘Because I’m used to performing, I’ll always give that performance energy. 

'If people think I have the level of a professional dancer, then I’ll take it.’

Last week, Gill scored 35 out of 40; the week before, 37; the week before that, 39. 

And all this, despite losing his professional partner, Amy Dowden, after she collapsed backstage following the Halloween show.

Ms Dowden, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023, was replaced by Lauren Oakley - which Gill describes as ‘a little unorthodox’.

But he adds: ‘It’s great that Lauren’s been able to come in and we’ve been able to gel.

'Hopefully, we can go all the way to the final.’