Strictly’s Amy Dowden and JB Gill break silence on training after scandals
BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden has returned to the scandal hit series with celeb partner JB Gill and opened up on the atmosphere behind the scenes.
Strictly Come Dancing has kicked off for another year - another two pro dancers lighter - and now the BBC’s hit dance contest is facing increased scrutiny following a series of scandals which have rocked the show behind the scenes.
This week, returning pro and all round Welshie Amy Dowden has been offering a peek behind the curtain with a series of live videos on Instagram with her celebrity dance partner for this series, JLS singer JB Gill.
The pair have been talking to fans each day about how training is going, following the rows about training methods which have engulfed the show and led to the departure of Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima before the 2024 series began.
JB appeared with Amy in a video on Wednesday afternoon broadcast live on Instagram.
JB said: “Having spoken to a couple of people, after training and stuff this week, everyone’s been working super hard.
“I think everyone wants to do well, and there’s not as much pressure this week because obviously there isn’t a results show.
“I think everyone will genuinely be putting their best foot forward no puns intended.”
Amy added: “As I keep telling you it’s your one and only chance of doing the waltz. And enjoy enjoy enjoy.”
In a video put out the day before, Amy said: “shall we do one more question and then I think we need to get back to training.
He added “This is what I love about this whole journey. Amy cracks the whip. I’m used to that and I like that.
“I feel like this week is not a good comparison because it’s the Waltz, so it’s like me doing a slow paced song.
“I feel like the pressure’s almost a bit more because obviously I have to be in sync with the boys, there is an element of being an artist and expressing yourself, especially in a show when it goes wrong people might not noticed
“But with this, specially the waltz, if you have a wrong step, it can be quite obvious.”
The BBC reported on its own website about the scandals which have impacted Strictly before the 2024 series started. It said: “Two dancers have been dropped from the show following complaints about their behaviour and teaching methods in rehearsals.
“In June, it was confirmed that Giovanni Pernice would not return for the new series.
“Pernice has denied any allegations of abusive or threatening behaviour. An investigation, launched by the BBC following the claims, will reportedly conclude soon.
"Another professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, has also left the show.
"Di Prima's spokesman admitted to BBC News that he had kicked his partner Zara McDermott in a rehearsal last year.
“Last month, a BBC News investigation heard allegations of a "toxic culture" from some former junior staff on the show - though other workers told a positive story of dancers and crew who were kind and respectful to them.”
For now, Amy and JB are helping give fans a glimpse into their training and have been supported by fans, in what is Amy’s first year back on the series since missing the 2023 run due to getting treatment for cancer.
