Strictly Come Dancing is in full swing and while we’re all busy being dazzled by the celebrity partnerships, the glitzy costumes and the Strictly Curse rumours, we never give much thought to what goes on behind the scenes.
We know that the live Strictly shows are a major production – and one that didn’t even fall victim the pandemic, when so much great TV was cancelled last year – but the names and faces of those integral to getting the show off the ground are seldom seen on screen.
Enter: Jason Gilkison, director of choreography on the show.
Jason is responsible for the most spectacular group numbers – including the first same-sex routine to Taylor Swift’s Love Story in week four – but what else do we know about him?
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Who is Jason Gilkison?
Jason is the lead choreographer on Strictly, but like all the pro dancers he’s also an award winning ballroom dancer who started dancing aged seven and has gone on to compete all over the world.
When did Jason Gilkison join Strictly Come Dancing?
Jason came aboard the BBC Strictly ship in 2014, after working on both So You Think You Can Dance in Australia and later, Superstars of Dance in the USA.
Jason Gilkison's same-sex routine
Jason choreographed the ground-breaking same-sex routine, danced to Taylor Swift’s Love Story, in 2021, which saw pro dancer Johannes Radebe take centre stage in a period style number set in a grand ball.
In the routine Johannes partnered with 2021 newbie Kai Widdrington while the rest of the pro crew also danced in same-sex pairings.
Speaking of the first time Strictly’s broke tradition with their partnerships in 2018, Jason said, “Every year on Strictly we really try and push boundaries. I go through a month where I don’t sleep so we can push boundaries. My first numbers were 2011 on the show. When I met the pros, I was so happy with the results.
CHECK OUT: Strictly Come Dancing Affairs That Gave Us The Shock of Our Lives
Strictly Come Dancing Affairs That Gave Us The Shock of Our Lives - slider use this one
1 of 15Check out all the relationships hit by the Strictly Come Dancing curse...
2 of 151. Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
Strictly's Camilla Dallerup revealed she suffered a 'mini death' when her fiancé Brendan Cole reportedly left her in 2004 for his Strictly dance partner Natasha Kaplinsky. Natasha and Brendan never confirmed they were romantically involved. Natasha said: "There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan."The pair have since married other people, whilst Camilla married former Hollyoaks star Kevin Sacre in 2010.
3 of 152. Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
Just one week into his stint on Strictly in 2009 and Joe Calzaghe split with his girlfriend of five years, Jo-Emma Larvin. It wasn't long before the boxer and his professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff embarked on a romance. Unfortunately it wasn't to last and they split four years later.
4 of 153. Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
Following his 2013 stint on the show, rugby star Ben Cohen revealed he'd split from wife of 11-years Abby. He was then forced to deny he was romantically involved with former partner Kristina Rhianoff, after the pair were spotted linking arms on a London tube train.Ben and Kristina have since started a relationship and the pair welcomed their first child together in 2016.
5 of 154. Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace
Things must have been awkward backstage at Strictly in 2007 when Flavia Cacace reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight-years, Vincent Simone, for Eastenders actor Matt Di Angelo.At the time the actor told the Daily Mail: "The funny thing was the story did not start off as true, but the more you read it, the more you started to believe it and actually act on it."However, Flavia split from Matt in 2010 and went on to wed actor Jimi Mistry (who she met whilst partnered together on Strictly in 2010) in December 2013.
6 of 155. Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
Former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her dance partner, Brian Fortuna, got together in 2009 after starring together on the show - but split a year later.
7 of 156. Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
Rachel Riley surprised everyone when she revealed she was splitting from husband of just 15-months Jamie Gilbert during her time on Strictly in 2013. Less than a year later, the Countdown star announced she was dating her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev - but insisted there was no overlap between the two romances.
8 of 157. Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
Kara Tointon not only bagged the Strictly glitter ball in 2010 but also a hunky new boyfriend when she embarked on a romance with her Strictly partner Artem Chigvintsev.However, after three years of being together the pair split, and the former EastEnders actress told The Telegraph: "We are not together. We're fine, but we aren't a couple anymore."
9 of 158. Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward
When Georgia entered the competition in 2015 she was dating her Coronation Street co-star, Sean Ward. At the time she reassured everyone that she was in a happy relationship and she was just good friends with her dance partner Giovanni.However, shortly after the competition finished she ended her relationship with Sean and started a relationship with Giovanni.Unfortunately Georgia and Giovanni split before series 14 started. The former Coronation Street actress announced the news on Twitter, writing: "It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved."Although it was not an easy decision to make sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times."We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future."
10 of 159. Helen George and Oliver Boot
Helen George appeared on Strictly in 2015 and split from her husband Oliver Boot of three years. Were they hit by the Strictly curse?
11 of 1510. Susanna Reid Dominic Cotton
Susanna Reid featured on Strictly during series 11. After the show finished, Susanna and her partner Dominic Cotton split.The TV presenter denied the end of their relationship being related to the Strictly curse, she told the Daily Mirror: "I think people think Strictly was bound in what happened. It wasn't."Obviously things have been challenging in my personal life but we are getting things sorted."
12 of 1511. Louise and Jamie Redknapp
The whole world was shocked in 2017 when Louise and Jamie Redknapp confirmed they were divorcing after 19 years of marriage.The news came just months after she competed in Strictly Come Dancing 2016 alongside her professional dance partner Kevin Clifton.
13 of 1512. Karen and Kevin Clifton
After months of speculation Strictly Come Dancing professionals Karen and Kevin Clifton confirmed they'd split.Despite breaking up they've insisted they'll remain friends. During Chris Evans' breakfast show, Kevin explained: "Privately we are not together anymore but professionally we are stronger than ever before. Dance is how we came together and is what glues us together."We're still the best of friends – we still have a lot of love and respect for each other. What we've found is that since we've been honest with each other it's unlocked our creativity."Karen added: "We have such strong chemistry and it's about entertaining and inspiring. At the end of the day it's about giving back to fans. We're feeling very positive."
14 of 1513. Katya Jones and Seann Walsh
Everyone was shocked when photos of Seann Walsh and his professional dance partner Katya Jones were pictured together KISSING on the streets of London.While Katya is married to fellow Strictly professional Neil Jones, Sean is dating actress Rebecca Humphries.Since the news of the affair came to light, they've both apologised and blamed it as a "drunken mistake".
15 of 1514. Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
Stacey Dooley caused controversy when she went public with her romance with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. In March, Stacey and her ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott split, with reports suggesting Sam was paranoid about Stacey's relationship with Kevin, after finding secret messages between the two on Stacey's phone. AWKWARD.
“AJ and Gorka were the first [same-sex] couple, and then as the camera panned out everyone was in one.
“In our ballroom dancing world when you’re growing up you often have a partner of the same sex as there are not enough pairings to go around. We wanted to show people that lead and follow is very old fashioned. We have a platform to be able to show how ballroom dancing is moving forward, and it’s important to show how we’re doing that.”
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Jason Gilkison's grandad
Jason has spoken on Strictly’s spin off, It Take Two, about how his grandad ignited his love of ballroom dance aged seven.
“I can remember my first attempt at doing a Blackpool number,” he said.
“My Grandad has been so important to me in my life. It’s the Ballroom that he used to go to. It was the first time I thought this is everything he loved. He said the most beautiful thing is watching people dance and enjoy themselves, no matter what gender or age you are.”
Where is Jason Gilkison from?
Jason is from Perth, Australia, but has lived in Sydney, London and LA.
Jason Gilkison husband
Jason is married to “Scouser and Sydney-sider” James Carney after tying the knot in 2017.