Strictly Come Dancing star makes huge mistake as fans warn 'they won't make final'

First Strictly's JB Gill lost his pro partner, Amy Dowden, to injury and now fans are convinced another obstacle stands in his way.

After Amy's departure, Lauren Oakley - who previously supported Giovanni Pernice and Anton du Beke on tour this year - stepped in to replace her. The partnership seemed to be a winning combination when they sailed straight to the top of the leaderboard last week after dancing to 'Yes That's My Baby' by Firehouse Five Plus Two.

Even notoriously tough-talking judge Craig Revel-Horwood was full of praise for their efforts, while the pair were also awarded an extra seven points after winning the Samba-thon. Despite scoring a joint first last week, joining consistently high-scoring Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, fans fear that a modest dance choice this week will rob JB of the chance to show off his skill-set and could unjustly leave him in the shadows.

For Musicals Week, JB and Lauren will be performing a Viennese Waltz to the tune of 'Let's Go Fly A Kite' by Mary Poppins - and fans have taken to Reddit in droves to hit out at the decision. "I really fear that JB not doing a dramatic dance (e.g. a Paso) might have cost him a place in the semis," one exclaimed.

"I’ve been rooting for him from the start. I want him and Lauren to make the final, however he should've at least done a dramatic dance." Another agreed, arguing: "I think the problem for JB is that Pete [Wicks] is doing a romantic waltz which will be popular with the public, so he'll hoover up that vote.

"If we imagine that Pete will escape the DO [dance-off], who does that leave in it? JB, Montell [Douglas] and maybe Sarah [Hadland]."

However, another contradicted: "No chance Sarah will be in the bottom two. I think all of the dance off possibilities are most likely; JB vs Montell. Montell vs Tasha. JB vs Tasha."

The most popular prediction that popped up on Reddit was that JB and former Olympic sprinter Montell would be the ones going head-to-head.

Others argued that Pete Wicks had consistently escaped elimination, despite sometimes lacking in his dance technique, fuelling earlier claims of a fix.

Meanwhile, JB admitted on BBC spin-off show It Takes Two that his choice of a Viennese Waltz was never going to be "easy".

"Obviously, Mary Poppins is a classic. I love doing ballroom dances and ballroom routines," he began.

"The Viennese Waltz isn’t easy but it is fun and I think this song in particular is just uplifting. I can really identify with the character as well.

“Of course, musicals week, you want to have that flare, have that pizazz that musicals deserve and you want to make sure you get all the steps and stuff right, but actually you have to be in the moment and really enjoy it.”

Tune into Strictly this Saturday evening at 7.05pm on BBC One to find out how it goes.