Strictly Come Dancing star JB Gill has defended his performance with dancing partner Amy Dowden after they survived this week’s dance-off.
The pair opened Week Five’s show with a Foxtrot to Hey Ya! by Outkast and were ultimately saved from elimination by the judges.
Gill said opening the show was “really good despite the result” and believed he and Dowden put their “best foot forward”.
In a thinly-veiled dig towards the voting public during Tuesday’s It Takes Two, the 37-year-old defended his and Dowden’s performance even though they failed to rake in the votes needed to avoid the bottom two.
“We got 30!” he exuberantly protested after Fleur East brought up the dance-off: “It wasn’t a shabby score!”
He continued: “It’s always disappointing when you put so much work into training to not have the result that you want.”
Gill and Dowden defend their Jive performance on Tuesday’s It Takes Two
BBC
However, he was keen to point out that: “Even the best professionals have little blips and things – a mistake, whatever it is. Those things are part of the performance.
“It’s a testament to any performer if you go out there and give 100 percent”.
It Takes Two host East then asked how Gill reacted to the judges choosing to save him over pundit and former footballer Paul Merson in the dance-off.
The 37-year-old confirmed it was a “a massive confidence boost” and that he was “over the moon” to still be in the competition.
Gill and Dowden face the dace-off against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
BBC
“It’s a new week. Last week is done. It is what it is, and we live to fight again,” he defiantly replied.
Dowden was full of praise for her dance partner, complimenting him on his commitment and success despite having no previous dance training.
While the public may not have shown their enthusiasm for the dance, the judges did praise Gill for his timing and energy during the performance.
Head judge Shirley Ballas exclaimed: “What a divine performance to start the show.”
However, the judges did note his “heavy and stompy” technique which detracted from the overall routine.
Judges Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke raised the eight paddles for Gill and Dowden, while Craig Revel Horwood and Ballas awarded sevens.
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A combined score of 30 placed the pair eighth on the leaderboard. However, it did not save them from facing lowest scorers Merson and Karen Hauer, with 19, in the dance-off.
All four judges chose to save Gill and Dowden but had some choice words for their performance on the night.
Mabuse acknowledged Gill “made quite a few mistakes” but added: “He kept in time with the music, and it was very clear and readable.”
Du Beke said the dance-off “wasn’t great” and “shouldn’t have been this close”. He concluded: “JB, not your best night.”
While Gill was already safe, Ballas confirmed she would have also chosen him but agreed it was much closer than expected.