JB Gill

Jonathan “JB” Gill is an English singer and farmer who found fame on the X-Factor with boyband group JLS in 2008. JB developed a love of music at an early age, singing in the school choir and playing a number of instruments. JB attended the Centre for Young Musicians before concentrating on a rugby career with the London Irish rugby club. However, it wasn’t long before JB returned to music, taking up vocal coaching and leaving the rugby world behind. JB studied Theology at King’s College London but decided to follow his dreams of becoming a successful singer and pursued a music career. When JLS disbanded in 2013, JB invested his money from the band into farming, purchasing an eleven acre smallholding in Kent where he successfully rears Kelly Bronze turkeys, Tamworth pigs and chickens.

JB is hugely passionate about educating children about the countryside. One of his aims is to encourage children to explore the outdoors, learn more about food provenance and help them understand just how vital the farming community is to the future of our countryside. Since JLS disbanding in 2013, JB has been busy building a family with his wife Chloe and they have a 2-year-old son together. JB is currently a presenter on CBeebies BAFTA nominated children's show 'Down on the Farm' and he maintains that “there is no better environment for children to develop and learn.”

With a series of community projects underway, JB hopes to provide greater access to the countryside for inner-city children. In creating these opportunities for young people, he also hopes to be able to teach children about where their food comes from. “It’s something I’d like my children to be around and to be involved in. For me, it’s about utilising my blessings - everything that I’ve gained from the past and JLS - in this new farming environment and making sure that everyone can be a part of it.”

http://jbgill.com/