Strictly Come Dancing contestant JB Gill has revealed how his former partner Amy Dowden reacted to him reaching the final without her.
Last month, the 34-year-old Welsh professional dancer was forced to pull out of the competition after sustaining a stress fracture in her shin. She has been replaced by fellow Strictly pro Lauren Oakley.
Gill and Oakley have been powering through despite the circumstances and were announced as one of three finalists in the BBC dancing competition on Saturday night (7 December).
The JLS singer, who received a perfect score for his last performance, will compete against Miranda star Sarah Hadland, comedian Chris McCausland, and Love Islander Tasha Ghouri to lift the glitterball trophy.
“She (Amy) was there at the semi-final and she’s over the moon that we’re in the final, I’ve made the final,” Gill said at a press conference, per Manchester Evening News.
“She’s been a huge support from day one,” he continued. “Of course, it’s very unorthodox. It’s not something I think that’s ever happened on Strictly Come Dancing before.
“But she’s very much a part of the partnership and she’s just as, or has been just as valuable, to me, as Lauren has. So it’s been great to have her support.”
Gill admitted he was “nervous” to change partners because he knew Strictly viewers were “invested” in his partnership with Dowden.
“I didn’t know how that would affect my journey throughout the whole process, but Lauren is amazing,” he said.
“She’s very different to Amy, but she’s, I guess, allowed me to bring out a different side to myself.
“She’s what I call a dancer that feels, and so for me, that’s really inspirational.”
Gill and Oakley landed a perfect score from the judging panel for their second routine in the Strictly semi final on Saturday — putting them top of the leaderboard.
The Independent’s Rachel McGrath said of the JLS singer’s performance: “His two performances on Saturday night weren’t just the product of a great final week, they were testament to the glorious series he’s had so far.
And whatever happens next, Gill has so much to be proud of. Saturday night’s perfect 40 was the cherry on the cake.”
The competition is currently in its final stages after a semi-final on Saturday night that saw the elimination of Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal.
TheStrictly Come Dancing final begins at 6pm on Saturday 13 December on BBC One.
