Amy Dowden makes JB Gill dance background revelation as she launches stern defence of BBC Strictly star
Amy Dowden and JB Gill had to endure the dreaded dance-off in last weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing, with the pair facing some harsh criticisms for their Jive.
Discussing this on spin-off show It Takes Two, Dowden fiercely defended the JLS star as she shared a revelation about her dance partner.
Host Fleur East was quick to ask the couple about their dance-off experience, which saw them up against former footballer Paul Merson and Karen Hauer.
The 56-year-old football pundit had been favourite to leave after consistently lower scores, and the judges ended up saving Gill and Dowden, but not before sharing some harsh critique of the two first.
“Going into the dance-off, Amy, what feedback are we focusing on and what did you say to get him pumped up for the dance-off?” East probed.
“I just said to him, ‘Just repeat – copy and paste.’ I truly think that JB has delivered such brilliant performances,” the Welsh choreographer replied.
The 34-year-old was full of praise for Gill and seemed keen to protect him from negative comments as she continued: “We both say that every Saturday, we always come up absolutely buzzing.”
Turning her attention to misconceptions about his dance experience having been one-quarter of boy band JLS, Dowden went on: “I think people forget he is actually… I remember saying, ‘Have you had dance lessons?’
“And he said, ‘I’ve never had dance lessons in my life.’ He is so talented and works so hard. Not just this week, I am proud of every performance J has done.”
Dowden seemed keen to share the revelation in light of recent “fix” rows the show has seen regarding contestants’ dance history.
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has come under fire several times because she has danced in the past, despite her making clear she’s never participated in Latin and Ballroom routines.
“And you should be, you’re doing a great job,” East assured Dowden, before noting: “Despite a few mistakes, all four judges wanted to save you, how much of a confidence boost is that?”
“Massive,” Gill, 37, replied. “One of those things when you go out in and perform, even the best professionals have little blips and things – a mistake, whatever it is. Those things are part of the performance.
“And for me, it’s always testament to any performer who could go out and give it 100 percent.
“You have seen from the comments from the judges over the last five weeks, it’s more about the spirit and the energy you bring to it. People have made mistakes in their normal routines.”
Despite the two being saved following the dance-off and making it to this weekend’s Halloween Week, the judges didn’t give the couple an easy time during Sunday’s result show.
“Paul, I think you put in a very good fight but my vote goes to JB and Amy,” judge Craig Revel Horwood noted.
“JB made quite a few mistakes but he kept in time to the music and it was very clear and readable,” Motsi Mabuse pointed out, continuing: “Paul, you had the party of the night, it was lots of fun and joy but you just didn’t keep to the music.
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“You made no mistakes, but the music was out. I will be saving JB and Amy.”
Offering some brutal critique, Anton Du Beke remarked: “Well, with all due respect to both couples, this wasn’t great. It shouldn’t have been this close. It just should have been a much easier decision to make.
“JB, not your best night, I have to be honest with you, you made some mistakes there.
“Paul, if you’d been clean I’d have saved you. You weren’t clean, sadly. It was a shame because it was there, so I’m going to save JB and Amy.”
