Strictly Come Dancing have announced JB Gill as the second official celebrity contestant for the 2024 installment. Earlier on Monday, blind comedian Chris McCausland, who lost his sight at age 22 due to the hereditary condition Retinitis Pigmentosa, confirmed his involvement during Monday’s This Morning . Following on from McCausland’s announcement, the ITV mid-morning stalwart surprised viewers again as they revealed that the JLS star would compete on the ballroom series after previously appearing on the show’s Christmas special in 2012.
Gill also follows in the footsteps of his bandmate Aston Merrygold, who starred on the 2017 series when he was partnered with Janette Manrara. The British singer said of joining the 2024 line-up: “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’m raring to go to and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys.
“From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs - I’m here to embrace it all!” Speaking to hosts Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, McCausland joked he has “never watched” Strictly and added: “This is literally the worst-kept secret there has ever been in British television. “I think it’s been out there – it’s been exhausting keeping a secret everyone seems to know.” Asked how he feels about taking part, he said: “Apprehensive, massively apprehensiv.