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Strictly Come Dancing‘s JB Gill has admitted it feels “so strange” to have a new dancing partner on the show now that Lauren Oakley has replaced injured Amy Dowden.
In their first interview as a Strictly pairing, Gill told Loose Women “the show must go on” and said that the most important thing was for his former dance partner Dowden to have time to recover.
Dowden, who made her return to the BBC One show this year after breast cancer treatment, was forced to quit the series earlier this week over a foot injury, sharing that she was “heartbroken” by the turn of events.
What, how, and why?
JB Gill has an extra hurdle to contend with in his Strictly Come Dancing journey as he has a new partner now that Amy Dowden has had to quit over an injury – and in his first interview with replacement Lauren Oakley, he admitted it was “so strange” to get used to the change.
JLS star Gill and his new dance partner Oakley spoke to Loose Women on Wednesday, where they said “the show must go on” in their contest to lift the Glitterball Trophy.
Introducing them, host Charlene White asked: “Does it feel strange after so many weeks of talking about JB and Amy, you being introduced as JB and Lauren?”
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing
Gill replied: “So strange. I’ve definitely not gotten used to it. But it’s one of those things, of course no one would have ever have wished for an outcome like that, but the show must go on and you have to deal with it, and of course the most important thing for us is that Amy gets better and gets time to rest.”
Oakley, whose only previous celebrity partner was Krishnan Guru-Murthy in 2023, added: “You have to get used to each other’s bodies. Obviously, JB is used to dancing with Amy who’s a completely different proportion, different height, different limb length. But it’s also about getting used to the teaching style I use and then trying to understand how JB listens and understands things in the training room.”
Gill also joked about already having done better than his bandmate Aston Merrygold, who was voted out in a shock early exit in 2017 after being tipped to win the series. Their bandmates Marvin Humes and Oritse Williams are yet to take part.
He said: “We have a thing in JLS, just don’t come last. Two out of four have done it, so there’s still two more to go, but I’m in first position at the moment.”
The singer added: “Despite all the challenges, it’s been incredible fun. It’s been amazing with Amy and now of course it’s going to be amazing with Lauren, she’s a fantastic dancer. I said to her week one when I was still partnered with Amy, you’re an amazing dancer.”
What else has JB Gill said about Amy Dowden’s Strictly exit?
Gill also posted a lengthy statement on Instagram about how “grateful” he was for everything that Dowden had done for him and added: “It’s been heartbreaking seeing the wonderful journey we’d begun come to a halt. That said, I have nothing but admiration for you. Your fight and determination are second to none.
“Your dedication to your art shines through in your passion for what you love. You would literally give anything to be on that ballroom floor dancing and I feel truly honoured to have shared it with you for six weeks.”
Thanking her for helping him to learn so much, he continued: “You are one of life’s special people and although our Strictly journey ends here, you will dance again and I know it won’t be the end of our partnership. Our memories and moments will forever be in Strictly history and I have no doubt you’ll be back, stronger and better than ever. God bless you always.”
On Monday evening, Dowden said on Instagram that her heart is “breaking” to leave the contest over a foot injury, after being replaced by stand-in Oakley last Saturday while she tried to recover.
A Strictly spokesperson announced she would not continue, saying: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year. Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner. The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”
Loose Women airs on ITV1 at 12.30pm on weekdays.
