JB Gill admits 'it got to me' as he addresses Craig Revel Horwood remarks on BBC Strictly: 'Not a professional'

WATCH HERE: JB Gill and Lauren Oakley's first Strictly routine following Amy Dowden's withdrawal from show

BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 20/11/2024

- 21:21

Updated: 20/11/2024

- 21:34

The JLS star addressed criticisms raised by Craig Revel Horwood

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley found themselves in fourth place on the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard on Saturday after achieving a score of 35 for their Quickstep.

However, judge Craig Revel Horwood picked up on one feature that could be worked on, with the JLS star going on to address how Blackpool Week had "got to me".


The pair appeared on Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, on Wednesday, where they reflected on the magical experience on performing in the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

"It sounds like a bit of a cliche but it honestly was iconic, it was epic," the 37-year-old singer replied when asked about last weekend's show.

"I feel having the extra dancers... and we had such a colourful routine, it really put a smile on my face."

"Now, Craig did feel like you were fighting each other in the dance instead of really dancing as one throughout the floor," host Janette Manrara pointed out.

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley

JB Gill reflected on Craig Revel Horwood's criticisms

BBC

On Saturday night, Revel Horwood stated in his feedback to the couple: "Posture was poor because of the head position, and I felt you were fighting each other ever so slightly instead of working as one."

However, he also had some positive notes as he continued: "But you know what? I loved the fact that you moved all around this absolutely humongous floor, you could literally come from corner to corner with ease."

Manrara showed the couple a diagram drawn by former Strictly professional Joanne Clifton, who'd appeared in the Choreography Corner segment.

"As Joanne Clifton explained, it was due to your elbow position being slightly too far back from your shoulder, as she drew here," Manrara added.

"What we need JB, is to be looking like this, slightly further forward," she made clear, pointing towards Clifton's drawing.

"Excellent," Gill commented as the group admired the artwork.

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley

Lauren Oakley took over as JB Gill's professional partner after Amy Dowden had to withdraw for health reasons

BBC

"So, what have you learned about your frame moving forward and after this lovely little painting?" Manrara probed.

Repeating judge Shirley Ballas' points they'd been discussing, Gill responded: "Well I think it's exactly that, it's practice and perseverance, I was definitely working on it."

Pointing towards the diagram, he added: "But that's really helpful to see."

"That's very helpful - why didn't I come up with that?" Oakley commented.

Reflecting on the technical blunder, Gill added: "I feel bad because that is exactly what Lauren's been telling me to work on, and I feel like the whole Blackpool Ballroom floor..."

"The adrenaline, excitement," Oakley helped her partner as he went on: "The adrenaline, the experience, it definitely got to me."

JB Gill and Lauren Oakley

JB Gill addressed a technical error with his dance on last week's Strictly

BBC

Pointing towards the "incorrect" hold diagram, he added: "Because obviously that ended up being the end product."

He went on to note: "But it's good, because obviously i'm developing - I'm definitely not a professional, certainly not with four days or rehearsals.

"So there's a lot of work to be done, but we can get it done."

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