Jonathan Benjamin Gill (born 7 December 1986) also known professionally as JB Gill, is a British singer and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the boy band JLS, who were runners-up to Alexandra Burke on the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008. With JLS, he went on to achieve five no. 1 singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide, two Brit awards, and five MOBO awards, before the band split up in 2013. His later career saw him presenting television shows Down on the Farm (2015) and Songs of Praise (2017).
JB Gill | |
|---|---|
 Gill in 2023 | |
| Born | Jonathan Benjamin Gill 7 December 1986 Croydon, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, television presenter |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Agent | Arlingtontalent.com |
| Television | The X Factor (2008) The Jump (2015) Dance Dance Dance (2017) |
| Spouse |
Chloe Tangney (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Dance, pop, R&B |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006–2014,2020-present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | JLS |
| Website | jbgill.com |
Early life
editJonathan Benjamin Gill was born on 7 December 1986 in Croydon, London. He is the son of Cynthia,[1] and Keith Gill and has one younger brother, Neequaye.[1] He is of Antiguan descent. He grew up, mostly, in Croydon,[1] and began making music at the age of seven when he played the recorder,[1] piano,[2] and flute.[1] At an early age, he joined the primary school choir,[1] and went on to perform at the local church. Gill concentrated on his music and began studying at The Centre for Young Musicians.[2] He was awarded 'all-round' scholarship for music, academics and sport at Whitgift School in Croydon.[2]
In secondary school, he switched focus from music to rugby;[1] he got involved with London Irish rugby club and toured abroad.[1] He eventually gave rugby up through injury,[1] and took up vocal coaching during a year out before attending university. He studied theology at King's College London, but put his degree on hold, to pursue his music career with JLS.[1]
Career
edit
Gill joined boy band UFO, later known as JLS, in 2007.[1] The group auditioned for The X Factor in 2008,[1] managed by Louis Walsh, and finished runners-up behind Alexandra Burke.[3] They later signed a record deal with Epic Records, achieving five no. 1 singles,[2] over 10 million record sales worldwide,[2] two Brit awards,[2] and five MOBO awards,[2] but split up in 2013.[4]
In December 2012, Gill won the Christmas Special of the BBC One dancing show Strictly Come Dancing, performing the Jive with Ola Jordan.[3]
In 2014, Gill sang on a song titled "Best Night OML" produced by Charlie Hedges.[5] This made him the first member of JLS to release solo material.[5] Later that year, Gill competed on Celebrity MasterChef.[6] Beginning on 1 February 2015, he took part in the second series of The Jump.[3]
In August 2015, having been involved in the turkey farming industry for some years,[7] he became one of the main presenters on CBeebies programme Down on the Farm alongside Storm Huntley.[8]
In November 2015, he appeared on the show, Countryfile. In September 2016, he appeared on Who's Doing the Dishes?. In February 2017, he appeared on the ITV show Dance Dance Dance alongside his wife Chloe and finished in 3rd place. From 2017, he has been a presenter on the BBC's Songs of Praise.[9]
In August 2024, twelve years after winning the Christmas special, Gill was announced as a contestant on the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was originally partnered with Amy Dowden for the first six weeks of the series. He then re-partnered with Lauren Oakley from week 7 onwards, after Dowden fell ill and later withdrew due to injury.[10] The pair ultimately reached the final, finishing as runners-up behind Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.
Personal life
editGill used to play rugby, and played for England in the 2015 charity fixture of Rugby Aid,[11] which sees a team of celebrities and professional rugby players take part in an 'England vs The Rest of the World' match to raise money for the charity Help For Heroes.[11]
In late 2008, Gill began dating backing dancer Chloe Tangney; they married in 2014 and have two children: a son called Ace Jeremiah Gill and a daughter called Chiara Sapphire Gill.[4] Gill is a Christian.[9]
Gill is a supporter of charities, including the Red Cross, for which he travelled to Zimbabwe for a food relief effort, [12] and the Woodland Trust.[7]
Filmography
edit- Television
- The X Factor (2008) – Contestant, as part of JLS
- Countryfile (2012) – Guest
- The Paul O'Grady Show (2014) – Guest
- Celebrity MasterChef (2014) – Contestant
- The Jump (2015) – Contestant
- Down on the Farm (2015–present) – Presenter
- The Chase Celebrities (2015) – Contestant
- Tipping Point Lucky Stars (2016) – Contestant
- Dance Dance Dance (2017) – Contestant
- Songs of Praise (2017–present) – Presenter
- Richard Osman's House of Games (2018) – Contestant
- Strictly Come Dancing (2024) – Contestant
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rachael Davis (20 February 2022). "'I never thought my son would be a professional singer but I encouraged him anyway, then he joined JLS and got his big break on X Factor'". mylondon.news.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rachael Davis (17 August 2017). "BBC Songs Of Praise announces JB Gill to join presenting team". bbc.co.uk.
- ^ a b c "The Jump 2015: Meet JB Gill". radiotimes.com. 1 February 2015.
- ^ a b "JB Gill and wife Chloe introduce baby daughter and reveal her name – HELLO! exclusive". HELLO!. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Charlie Hedges Spotlight – Interview WIth The Kiss FM Presenter and DJ". The LDN Diaries. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ "Celebrity MasterChef - JB struggles to keep up". bbc.co.uk. 12 June 2014.
- ^ a b "Our ambassadors". Woodland Trust. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "CBeebies commissions Down On The Farm starring JB Gill". BBC. 30 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ^ a b "JLS' JB Gill is "excited" to combine his faith and music as new Songs of Praise presenter". Digital Spy. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Chris McCausland and JB Gill announced as first two celebrity contestants". BBC News. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Teams Revealed for Rugby Aid 2015". primarytimes.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Zimbabwe: from food crisis to hope". British Red Cross. Retrieved 31 July 2021.