Strictly star shares real reason Amy Dowden and JB Gill dealt blow in four-word verdict

By Michelle Marshall, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Strictly: Claudia and Tess open the results show

JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden found themselves in the bottom two with Paul Merson and dancer partner Karen Hauer. The Strictly Come Dancing judges delivered their verdicts as Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke chose to save JB and Amy.

Speaking exclusively to Express Online on behalf of Sky Vegas, former show legend Brendan Cole shared his thoughts on the reason the dancing duo ended up in the dance-off, despite being in the middle of the leaderboard with a score of 30 points out of 40.

The 48-year-old suggested Amy and JB's choreography has been "letting them down", admitting he was not surprised by the final results.

“I wasn’t shocked [seeing JB Gill and Amy Dowden in the bottom two]," Brendan explained.

"They have been on a roll, and there seems to be a lot of love for them, which is lovely, but the choreography hasn’t been excelling for me. It’s been letting the partnership down."

Strictly stars JB Gill and Amy Dowden were in the dreaded dance-off (Image: BBC)

He added: "It’s a bit basic.”

Meanwhile, eagle-eyed viewers were quick to spot a worrying curse they thought explained why JB had found himself in the dance-off.

Taking to X, some suggested that JB and Amy were in the bottom two because they were the first couple to dance on Saturday night’s show.

Concerned viewers also said that Shayne Ward ended up in the dance-off alongside Nick Knowles after performing first on the show earlier this month.

Brendan Cole was a former dancer on Strictly Come Dancing (Image: Getty)

Strictly's JB Gill and Amy Dowden performed a jive to OutKast's Hey Ya (Image: BBC)

“Crazy how JB danced first last night and in the dance off, and Shayne ward danced first last week and too himself there. Going first is a curse lol,” one mused.

Another fan added: “Ooh that's a bit of a shock, but I think sometimes opening the show can put you in a risky position. Easy to forget the first couple especially if they fall in the middle of the leaderboard.”

“Going first is a proper curse this series,” a third chimed.

The couple were awarded 30 points for their jive to OutKast’s hit Hey Ya, and fans were stunned when they were at risk of leaving the competition.

“JB and Amy don’t deserve to be KastOut for that jive. Hopefully they won’t suffer from being first. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing,” one wrote, as another furious fan added: “How on earth were JB & Amy in the dance - off?? It was one of the best dances on Saturday night!”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.20pm