Farmer and JLS star JB Gill swaps wellies for sequins as he joins Strictly Come Dancing

Singer speaks of excitment despite controversy surrounding BBC primetime show

Jane Thynne
Head of News and Business
clock • 1 min read
JLS star and farmer JB Gill who is joining this year's Strictly line-up
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JLS star and farmer JB Gill who is joining this year's Strictly line-up

Pop star, television presenter, farmer and now budding ballroom star - is there no end to JLS star JB Gill's talents?

One of last year's #Farm24 ambassadors, JB has been named as the third celebrity to be taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing which kicks off next month.

JB, who alongside his wife Chloe, breeds turkeys and pigs, as well as growing apples, pears and cherries on his 11-acre farm near Sevenoaks in Kent, has also worked with animal welfare and charities such as the Royal Countryside Fund in order to raise awareness of rural issues.

READ NOW: Down on the farm with JB Gill

He said: "From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs - I am here to embrace it all."

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JB has also presented Cbeebies Down on the Farm and a cooking series with his family, Cooking with the Gills, allowing him to bring the farm-to-fork story full circle.

The show, which is preparing for its 20th year, has come under pressure over the past few weeks amid allegations of bullying after celebrities spoke out about the actions of some of the professional dancers.

But speaking to reporters today (August 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 am raring to go to and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys."

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