Lauren Oakley has branded Saturday’s upcoming Strictly finale as “one of my career highlights” after making it to the final four with JLS singer JB Gill.
The pro dancer’s stint on this series has been a mixed bag, to say the least, having started the current as one of three benched stars alongside Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington.
Amy Dowden, who returned to the BBC dance competition after missing out last year while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, began this series as Gill’s pro partner but their journey was cut short due to injury.
Their time together had been far from plain sailing prior to Dowden’s health blow, with the duo having to dance for their spot in the contest when landing in the Week Five dance-off against Paul Merson and Karen Hauer.
The following week, Halloween, saw Dowden and Gill perform for the final time as the 34-year-old Welsh dancer collapsed backstage shortly after the live show and a few days later, confirmed Oakley would be taking her spot.
Since Oakley and Gill formed their partnership, the duo have gone from strength to strength on the dancefloor regularly racking up scores in the high-30s and even bagging their first perfect score of 40 in the semi-final.
BBC Strictly: JB Gill and Lauren Oakley (left) will be hoping to lift the Glitterball
BBC
Dowden has continued to show her support from the sidelines since Oakley took over, regularly sharing supportive gestures on social media.
On Saturday, Gill and Oakley will need all the support they can get as they seek to lift the Glitterball Trophy over the odds-on favourites Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell.
To do so, they’ll be performing a Viennese Waltz to Let’s Go Fly A Kite from Mary Poppins, a Show Dance to a Motown Medley and a Samba to Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes.
Ahead of the finale, the two spoke to the BBC about what reaching the final means to them, with Gill chiming in first: “Being in the final has to be a career highlight.
BBC Strictly: JB Gill and Lauren Oakley bagged a perfect 40 in the semi-final
BBC
“I don’t get to do too many competitions like this, so being in the final is an incredible achievement. My goal has always been to get through each week but I’ve always said if you can get to the final, it’s anyone’s to win.
“My mum’s saying is, ‘Someone has to win, so why can’t it be you?’ It’s all to play for. You have to give 120 percent.”
Oakley echoed: “Yes it is one of my career highlights and it means everything to me to be in the final because I’ve managed to get JB there and that’s the most important thing.
“I want him to be proud of himself and I want his family and his kids to be proud of him. I know it means the world to him and therefore it means the world to me.”
Dowden will likely be there supporting the two on the night and even teased that she’d be able to participate in some of the professionals’ group numbers following her latest update on social media.
She similarly showed her support for Gill and Oakley when the latter shared a celebratory post about reaching the final with the JLS singer.
“Next stop on the Strictly bus – the FINAL!” Oakley penned earlier this week. “@jbgill you superstar! You were on FIRE on Saturday night, and I’m so proud!
“Both dances were the best you’ve danced them all week… what a week we had! Hard work definitely pays off.
“Cant wait for another week of training, drinking ginger shots & giggling.
“Thank you to EVERYONE who voted for us, and for all your comments & messages of support. It really doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s so appreciated,” she signed off, which prompted a love heart emoji in response from Dowden. (sic)
