BBC Strictly embroiled in 'fix' row after just FIVE contestants over star's ballroom background: 'Advantage!'
Strictly fans have claimed JB Gill has prior dance experience
PA
As the celebrity announcements for Strictly Come Dancing continue to be revealed, some fans have already claimed the show is "fixed" and have aired their qualms with JLS singer JB Gill.
Gill was confirmed as a contestant on this year's series on Monday, August 7, and revealed that he couldn't wait to get his dancing shoes on and learn the art of ballroom dancing in a more in-depth capacity.
This isn't the first time that Gill has stepped into the Strictly ballroom after he appeared on the show back in 2012 for the Christmas Special and was paired with professional dancer Ola Jordan.
The couple wowed the audience and ended up being crowned the winners of the festive addition, scoring a staggering 39 out of a possible 40 from the judges.
Speaking about his upcoming stint and reassuring viewers that he wasn't already professionally trained, he said: "I did the Christmas special - it was great fun! It was the most similar dance to what I've done in JLS.
"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. I danced in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago and loved it, so when I got the call to join Strictly this year, it was an immediate yes from me.
"I'm raring to go to and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys. From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs - I’m here to embrace it all!"
Despite his eagerness to learn, many fans have claimed that the 37-year-old is at an unfair advantage after they realised he had been on another dance show alongside his wife - trained dancer Chloe Gill.
They showed off their talents on the ITV show Dance Dance Dance in 2017 but ended up only placing third, as Hollyoaks star Lucy-Jo Hudson and former EastEnders actor Jonny Labey pipped them to the post.
One annoyed X user stated: "Ooh we already know he's a good dancer! His wife is a professional dancer and they competed together in another celeb dance show called Dance, Dance, Dance, where they came 3rd!"
JB Gill will be following in the footsteps of his bandmate Aston Merrygold
BBC
"Not sure how I feel about a trained musician who has some sort of rhythm and choreography knowledge being put on a dance competition? I said the same when his bandmate was on it," another chimed in.
A third irked fan added: "Have we run out of people in the industry who don't have prior dance knowledge? Every year there is an unfair advantage to those who have no experience or are of an older generation." (sic)
Gill will be following in the footsteps of his bandmate Aston Merrygold who was partnered with Janette Manrara back in 2017 - with the couple placing 10th.
The Countryfile star shared his bandmate's reaction on his Instagram, leaving Merrygold to laugh in annoyance: "Oh my gosh... yeah of course! It's fine, it's fine..."
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Gill also shared the news with bandmate Marvin Humes and his wife Rochelle, leaving them both to share a surprised reaction and claiming they thought the initial news was about the couple having another baby.
JLS was first formed in 2006 and later found fame after taking part on the ITV talent show X Factor in 2008 - leaving the band to go on and make six albums and perform for thousands in their sell-out tours.