JB Gill pays final tribute to former BBC Strictly partner Amy Dowden as he reflects on ‘unorthodox’ journey
WATCH HERE: JB Gill and Lauren Oakley's Strictly routine and reaction
BBC
Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill paid one last tribute to former partner Amy Dowden ahead of the BBC competition final on Saturday night.
This weekend, the remaining four contestants will go head-to-head one last time on the dance floor for a chance to lift the Glitterball trophy.
Gill unfortunately had to swap partners after Dowden sustained an injury which meant she would have to rest for the foreseeable of the competition.
Due to the circumstances, Gill was then partnered with Lauren Oakley and has soared through the competition.
This weekend, Gill and Oakley chose to perform their Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes, whilst the judges chose for them to once again perform their Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins.
On top of the two dances, they will also be performing the Showdance to a Motown medley.
JB Gill and Lauren Oakley reflected on their journey together
BBC
The couple joined It Takes Two host Janette Manrara this evening to discuss their journey, where she asked: “What do the words JB Strictly finalist mean to you?”
With a proud smile on his face, Gill replied: “Oh... I mean! It sounds really nice and it has a nice ring to it. It has been amazing honestly, from start to finish.
“It has not been without its challenges of course, I think I have had an unorthodox run in the sense of having two partners and having to go through all of that but it has just been so much fun.
“Starting the series with Amy and all the hard work she put in in terms of technique, understanding about Latin and ballroom and what to do and how to do it and my posture.
JB admitted his journey was unorthodox due to having two partners
BBC
“You know all sorts of things. Then of course unfortunately her having to bow out then Lauren taking over and taking everything to the next level, it has just been so fun!”
Adding to their positive experience together, Oakley continued: “He had a really good foundation of weeks with Amy.
“But I think one thing that really helped was that seamless transition. When he did change partners he just went in headstrong, put one foot infront of the other, stayed positive stayed focused.
“One really important thing that you have mentioned to me actually, I think he has learnt to love the dancing and love the feeling of it and kind of let go of that perfection, it is there underneath.”
On Saturday night, Gill scored his first 40 for his Salsa to Red Alert by Basement Jaxx and made it into the book of Strictly Legends as it was the first perfect Salsa for seven years.
Their performance stunned the judges so much, that Craig Revel Horwood gave the Beat Again singer a handshake for his work.
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Horwood told Gill: “Darling, you need to come over here. Come on. Come to daddy! Paul Hollywood is in, darling!” before extending out his hand for a handshake.
Gill then went down the line hugging and shaking the hands of Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
The handshake was the extent of Horwood’s feedback, leaving the rest of the judges to agree and claim that it was the most perfect Salsa they had seen all series.
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