JB Gill responds to 'fix' criticism as he gears up for TV show

JB Gill has responded to critics who claim he has an unfair advantage on Strictly Come Dancing.

The JLS singer, 37, was confirmed as part of the celebrity line up for the 2024 series, but found himself facing fan backlash over his previous dance experience.

And speaking exclusively to MailOnline about his upcoming appearance on the BBC show, JB hit back and claimed he is ‘not a trained dancer’, but is ‘more prepared’ than some of his co-stars.

While speaking about his dancer wife Chloe’s reaction to his Strictly news, JB explained: ‘She’s can’t wait to offer advice which I’m very grateful for because I’m not a trained dancer.

‘I’ll be able to hear from her and work alongside my pro with. She can’t wait for the journey to start just like I am.’

JB Gill has responded to critics who claim he has an unfair advantage on Strictly Come Dancing

The JLS singer, 37, was confirmed as part of the celebrity line up for the 2024 series, but found himself facing fan backlash over his previous dance experience (pictured on the Strictly Christmas special in 2012)

JB previously appeared on – and won – the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2012, where he was partnered with pro Ola Jordan.

While in 2017, JB appeared alongside wife Chloe Gill – who is a professional dancer – in ITV show Dance Dance Dance, with the couple finishing up in third place.

JB isn’t the only celebrity from the upcoming series facing backlash, as Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri has also sparked concern she will have an unfair advantage over her co-stars, having previously competed in a number of major dance events and featured in music videos.

Last year’s series was tainted by accusations that actor Layton Williams, an experienced West End performer, had the upper hand over his opponents due to his extensive dance background.

Elsewhere, the BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean’. He denies the claims.

It was followed by Graziano Di Prima ‘s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it’.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about his upcoming appearance on the BBC show, JB hit back, claiming he is ‘not a trained dancer’, but he is ‘more prepared’ than his co-stars

When asked if he is prepared for the gruelling rehearsals, JB said: ‘I’m definitely more prepared than perhaps some of the other contestant, but also I’m not prepared for my body to go through the changes because I know what it’s like’

When asked if he is prepared for the gruelling rehearsals, JB said: ‘I’ll say yes and I’ll say no. I am prepared because I’ve experienced it before.

‘I know that the training period is very intense. It’s long hours, a lot of time that you put into perfecting the routine and working things out. And of course I’m working with a partner so that click, that gel has to be really good in order for performances to go on and be really good.’

He added: ‘I’m definitely more prepared than perhaps some of the other contestant, but also I’m not prepared for my body to go through the changes because I know what it’s like.

‘You’re doing six hours training four times a week, then a long day on Friday, then a long day Saturday, of course filming the shows.

‘You know your body goes through a lot and I’ve definitely not been training as much as that recently. So I’m not looking forward to the body hurting, you know, the muscles needing a little bit of R&R.

‘I’m just trying to get as many recovery ideas as I possibly can just to keep the body in check because I think that’s going to be the challenge.’

JB rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS, they have accumulated five number one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and have won a multitude of awards after competing on X Factor in 2008.

JB even previously told how Chloe gave him a helping hand with his training for Strictly’s Christmas show [JB and Chloe on Dance Dance Dance]

JB rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS who competed on X Factor in 2008

He is now preparing to appear on Strictly, where he follows in the footsteps of his bandmate Aston who was eliminated in 10th place during the 2017 series.

JB will appear on the 2024 series alongside Tasha, actor Shayne Ward, EastEnders’ Jameie Borthwick and comedian Chris McCausland.

The star has insisted his relationship with wife Chloe will not be affected by the so-called ‘ Strictly curse’ – which has ended several relationships.

The singer tied-the-knot with dancer Chloe, 34, back in January 2014 after four years together.

JB revealed he and Chloe have ‘incredible communication’ and insisted that his time on the show will ‘not change that’.

He told MailOnline: ‘We communicate incredibly well and we’ve always said that’s one of the keys to a very successful and strong relationship, let alone marriage. For us, this is not gonna change that at all.

Fans believe the famous ‘Strictly curse’ could finally be nearing its end this year, after bosses announced that they would be introducing chaperones who would be present at all times while couples practice their routines.

JB – who shares son Ace, nine and daughter Chiara, five, with Chloe – added: ‘To be honest, I probably have the best wife that you could have, for any contestant doing this show, because she comes from that world.

JB has insisted his relationship with wife Chloe will not be affected by the so-called ‘ Strictly Come Dancing curse’ – which has ended several relationships

Following his Strictly announcement, JB enjoyed spending some quality time with his family at the unveiling of Hamley’s first kids’ boutique in London

‘And although she wasn’t a ballroom dancer, we both understand what goes into it. We know that it’s not easy and it’s going to be difficult. She gets it, she’s been on tours herself.

‘She’s obviously had to partner with other people, that’s just part of the world. So she’s very excited for me.

‘Chloe can’t wait to offer advice which I’m also very grateful for because having her mind on things and just little things that I wouldn’t know because I’m not a trained dancer, you know, I’ll be able to hear from her and work alongside my pro with.

‘She can’t wait for the journey to start just like me.’

Following his Strictly announcement, JB enjoyed spending some quality time with his family at the unveiling of Hamley’s first kids’ boutique in London on Thursday.

The family posed for sweet snaps as they celebrated JB’s new partnership with L.O.L. Surprise!

JB said his daughter Chiara was the reason behind the collaboration as she’s a ‘massive fan’ and has a ‘huge collection’.

STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024

Chris McCausland

Age: 46

Profession: Comedian

Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’

Dr. Punam Krishan

Age: Unknown

Profession: GP and broadcaster

Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’

Toyah Willcox

Age: 66

Profession: Singer, actor, presenter

Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’

Pete Wicks

Age: 36

Profession: Reality star

Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’

Shayne Ward

Age: 39

Profession: Actor and singer

Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’

Tom Dean

Age: 24

Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer

Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’

Nick Knowles

Age: 61

Profession: TV presenter

Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’

JB Gill

Age: 37

Profession: Singer

JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’

Wynne Evans

Age: 52

Profession: Opera singer, presenter

Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 25

Profession: Model and reality star

Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’

Sarah Hadland

Age: 53

Profession: Actress

Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’

Jamie Borthwick

Age: 30

Profession: EastEnders star

Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’

Sam Quek

Age: 35

Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter

Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’