BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Lauren Oakley confesses 'it's so hard' working with JB Gill

Lauren Oakley has confessed why it's 'so hard' working with JB Gill after she was drafted in to be his partner for the remainder of Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 series.

There was gutting news last week as it was confirmed that JLS star JB's dance partner Amy Dowden wouldn't be able to continue competing in the BBC One dance contest.

The Welsh dancer made a triumphant return to the ballroom back in September after being forced to miss out on competing in the 2023 series due to undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

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She was paired with JB for the new series and they were going from strength to strength. But after missing a week of rehearsals and a live show, where Lauren stepped in, it was confirmed that Amy wouldn't be able to return to the competition as she recovers from a foot injury and that JB would carry on the remainder of his time on the hit dance show with Lauren.

And during latest live show on Saturday night (November 9) saw JB and Lauren finish joint topped the judges’ leader board for a second week in a row alongside Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, with a samba that "stunned" the judges.

It's since been confirmed they'll be heading to Blackpool as Strictly relocates to the seaside town for its annual special, which will once again be broadcast life from the iconic Tower Ballroom, and that they'll perform a Quickstep to Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley.

But amidst rehearsals for their next performance, it appears Lauren is distracted. Taking to X, formerly know as Twitter, the professional dancer admitted: "It’s just SO HARD being in a room with JB and suppressing the constant need to break out into a JLS song."

And her followers were understanding. @KatLovesShnicky encouraged: "Just do it!!" @Nettie17838227 replied: "And, that's why we love you!"@scddevereaux said: "U saying this while I’m literally listening to JLS right now. Safe to say I wouldn’t cope." @aama25_em added: "You should go ahead and sing Beat Again in his face."

Lauren also took to Instagram to share the same messages. As they finished another day of training, Lauren was seen alongside JB as spoke to the camera in a video posted to her Instagram Story: "Another day of me successfully managing not to randomly break out inot a JLS song."

They both laughed before Lauren continued: "All day I just want to go, [sings] 'Everybody in love, go put your hands up!' Or [sings], 'My heart won't beat again!' I am proud of myself actually."