Virgin Radio
5 Aug 2024, 11:39
With the first star contestant for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing having been announced this morning (5th August), a second celebrity has now been confirmed.
Following news that blind comedian Chris McCausland will be joining the show for its 2024 series, it has now been revealed that singer, TV presenter and author JB Gill will also be taking to the dance floor when Strictly returns in this autumn.
JB Gill rose to fame as a member of JLS, one of the UK’s biggest boybands. They have stacked up five number one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and have won a whole host of awards.
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The music star is also an avid and award-winning farmer and was the lead presenter on CBeebies’ BAFTA-nominated television series, Down On The Farm, Channel 5’s On The Farm series, and has also contributed to Countryfile and Springwatch.
Not only that, but he has also been a part of the presenting team for Songs of Praise since 2017 and has his own TV show, Cooking With The Gills, on Channel 5.
JB said: “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 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!”
The multi-award-winning entertainment show will celebrates two decades of dance in its new series. More cast announcements are expected to keep on landing over the next few days.
Today’s two announcements follow head judge Shirley Ballas teasing to virginradio.co.uk and other press at the TRIC awards that Strictly Come Dancing 2024 would have the show’s “most fantastic line-up ever” in order to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
“I think you’re going to be surprised at some of the people that they’ve managed to get on this show,” the superstar dancer added.
She also spoke to Chris Evans at Virgin Radio about the new series. Watch their conversation below.
The new series will come in the wake of controversies surrounding the behaviour of some of its now former professional dancers, with ex-contestant Amanda Abbington being the first star to complain about her treatment after she dropped out of the show last year.
Following her claims, professional partner Giovanni Pernice was axed, as was Graziano Di Prima after “claims of gross misconduct” based on “events” which occurred during his rehearsals with Love Island’s Zara McDermott.
Meanwhile, Paralympian Will Bayley has also opened up about how he suffered a life-changing injury while taking part in the show after he claims he was pressured into performing a jump which he didn’t want to commit to because of his disability.
In response to increased scrutiny about the show’s support and care of its stars, the BBC have announced they will be taking “additional steps to strengthen welfare and support” for all who compete on Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
