Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant and JLS star JB Gill has passionately defended the inclusion of trained dancers in the 2025 series, arguing that their prior experience does not give them an unfair edge in the BBC’s iconic Latin and Ballroom competition. Addressing the backlash surrounding contestants like actor Lewis Cope and actress Amber Davies, who have dance backgrounds, Gill emphasized that their skills lie outside the specific demands of Strictly’s dance styles, leveling the playing field for all competitors.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at the 2025 Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, Gill clarified, “They’re not trained in Latin or Ballroom.” He acknowledged that their stage performance experience could enhance their stage presence, stating, “If people are used to performing, of course, that will help, because there’s an element of stage presence and performance that’s needed in every routine.” However, he insisted this does not translate to a technical advantage in the competition’s rigorous Latin and Ballroom disciplines.
Gill, who competed in the 2024 series with professional dancer Amy Dowden before her illness led to Lauren Oakley stepping in, further explained that actors often excel due to their ability to bring characterization to their performances. “I think that’s why a lot of the actors do well,” he noted. “Although they might not necessarily be trained in dance, the fact that they’re able to bring characterization to what they do really, really helps. So, I don’t think it gives them any more advantage than anybody else.”
He elaborated, “If someone’s a great actor, even if they’ve never danced, they’re able to bring that element to what they do and what they put out on a Saturday night.” This perspective challenges viewer criticism that contestants like Cope, a former runner-up with the hip-hop dance troupe Ruff Diamond on Sky One’s Got to Dance in 2013 and a child performer in Billy Elliot on the West End, or Davies, who has starred in West End productions like 9 to 5 and is set to perform in Legally Blonde at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre, have an unfair head start.
Gill, a Strictly veteran who won the 2012 Christmas special, underscored the unique challenges of the competition. “At the end of the day, we all have our strengths, we have our weaknesses, and ultimately, you’re learning from scratch every single week,” he said. He highlighted the diversity of dance styles contestants must master, noting, “There are so many different styles to pick up and learn. They all have their different traits; they’re all difficult to learn in a week.”
He pointed out that even professionals spend years honing their craft, making it unrealistic to expect polished performances from novices after just a week of training. “These pros have been doing it for years on end, in order to be professional,” Gill remarked. “So to expect professional performances from someone who’s done it for a week is [unrealistic].”
Despite the debate, Gill celebrated the spirit of the competition, stating, “Everyone goes out there, everyone gives it their all, and ultimately, you want to see good dancing. If someone’s got a good background in dancing or performing, great. Brilliant.” His comments reaffirm that Strictly Come Dancing remains a platform for rookies to shine, regardless of their prior experience, and that the competition’s magic lies in its ability to challenge all participants equally.