JLS' JB Gill says The X Factor was a 'last resort' for the band
They'd exhausted every avenue
Last updated 26th Aug 2020
Each Tuesday, Fleur East releases another episode of The Reality of Reality TV and this week's episode is the fantastic JB Gill from JLS.
Joining previous guests, The Vivienne, The X Factor's Janet Devlin, Queen of Reality TV Alison Hammond, Love Island winner Amber Gill, and TOWIE star, Vas J Morgan, Fleur East asked JB some juicy questions about his time on The X Factor, a chance meeting with Adele and his decision to get a farm.
Never miss an episode, subscribe now to The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East
Starting off with the reality that not all X Factor bands are manufactured, JB admitted that they saw it almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.
The 'Beat Again' singer told how the band had been speaking to some managers before going on the show, who had, "shown some interest and helped them get some songs together," however nothing had happened.
"We basically put ourselves about to get spotted, get signed, you know, get someone like a Simon Cowell interested.
"We'd done all of that, and at the time of course, it wasn't really a band phase. The S Club's and all those types of bands had come and gone really, and it was a kind of Indie phase with McFly and Busted."
JB went on to explain that they felt they had something there, but they'd not got to the stage where they were signing a deal. They felt they didn't have anything to lose, and had a good chance of getting to the live shows.
Never miss an episode, subscribe now to The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East
Speaking to Fleur, JB also touched on being famous and the time he was walking down a street in London and bumped into Adele. Unbelievably he didn't recognise the 'Set Fire to The Rain' singer admitting, "I had a full-blown conversation with her, but I didn't know it was her!"
He continued, "I promise you. I'm looking at her like, I know your face, but are you a fan, do you want to do a photo? I must have brushed her off, honestly." Awks!
The Reality of Reality TV is available every Tuesday through Apple podcasts, Spotify, the Forth 1 website and all mainstream podcast providers.
Now take a look at the Reality of Reality TV podcast episodes:
Episode 1: RuPauls' Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne
In Episode 1 is all about RuPaul's Drag Race UK, the gruelling work involved in the show, why drag is not just fab make-up and a gorgeous body, and what REALLY happened in that 'red wig and silver dress' moment. 👀
Next episode lands Tuesday 14th July, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out.
Episode 2: The X Factor's Janet Devlin
"Do I swallow that, or be the girl who throws up on national television?" Quite the conundrum for Janet Devlin, singer-songwriter, and finalist on The X Factor, who joins Fleur East on The Reality of Reality TV.
Episode 3: Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond has been on a lot of Reality TV shows, but there are some she wouldn't go on, Fleur East caught up with her to find out what she wouldn't go on.
Episode 4: Love Island's Amber Gill
Since leaving the famous Love Island villa, Amber has remained in the public eye, so we were over the moon to have her join The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, when she revealed how she really felt after THAT Casa Amor moment.
Episode 5: Vas J Morgan
Vas J Morgan is known for appearing on The Only Way In Essex (TOWIE) between 2014 – 2019 as well as Celebs Go Dating, so we couldn't wait to hear his realities of Reality TV.
Episode 6: JB Gill
JLS singer JB Gill admitted that they saw The X Factor almost as a last resort. The band had been working together for 18 months before they went on the programme, but as JB explained they'd tried every avenue before.
Episode 7: Harry Redknapp
Coming from a background of football, Harry Redknapp seemed an unlikely contestant on I'm A Celebrity when he took part two years ago, but he describes his experience on the show as life-changing, saying he, "Learnt to laugh again."
Episode 8: Vicky Pattison
Former Geordie Shore star and I'm a Celebrity winner, Vicky Pattison joined Fleur East to talk about her experiences of Reality TV and how two of the biggest shows she's been on differed in their support and preparation.
Episode 9: Jordan and Perri from Diversity
Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are part of the very successful Britain's Got Talent winning group Diversity, and have opened up to Fleur East on her podcast The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East about the hate they received and how they dealt with the haters.
Episode 10: Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona needs no introduction and in her own words, 'you hear before you see her!'. Through highs and lows, husbands and children, she's been gracing our reality TV screens for almost twenty years. So in the final episode of this series of The Reality of Reality TV with Fleur East, she speaks openly and honestly to one of our absolute Queens of Reality TV.
Who is JB Gill?
JB Gill is a member of JLS. JB is a singer, but he is also a farmer!
What is JB Gill famous for?
As part of JLS, JB Gill came second to Alexandra Burke in the 2008 series of The X Factor. Since then the band have released many singles and albums including, four Top 3 albums, and ten Top 10 singles!
Which TV shows has JB Gill been on?
In addition to The X Factor in 2008, JB has also been on Masterchef and The Jump.
What is JB Gill doing now?
JB has a 12-acre farm, which he juggles with his music work. JLS were originally set to go on tour later this year, but as with many other artists they've had to postpone it until next year due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
What is The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
The Reality of Reality of TV is a podcast with Fleur East who has appeared on The X Factor twice and I'm A Celebrity. Throughout the podcast she speaks to some of the biggest names around in the reality TV world, including RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner - The Vivienne, Janet Devlin from The X Factor, Amber Gill from Love Island and many more.
When is each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV released?
Each episode of The Reality of Reality of TV is released on a Tuesday, including this episode four are now available to listen to. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any of the others!
How to listen to The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
You can now listen to all of the available podcast episodes from the Forth 1 website, through Apple podcasts, Spotify, and all mainstream podcast providers.
Who's been on The Reality of Reality of TV podcast?
So far on the The Reality of Reality of TV podcast we’ve had The Vivienne from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Janet Devlin who appeared on The X factor and Alison Hammond who started out on Big Brother. The latest guest is Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill.
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