EXCLUSIVE: Former NFL player Jason Bell, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2020, has shared a behind-the-scenes look at his experience on the BBC show.
Ex-Strictly star Jason Bell has opened up about his stint on the hit BBC dance show, describing it as “not easy” in an exclusive chat with Reach.
He didn’t hold back on commending his dance partner Luba Mushtuk for her unwavering support during their journey on Strictly’s 18th season, despite their early exit from the competition. Jason acknowledged the contest was “challenging” but fun.
In a broader conversation about his collaboration with Samsung for the launch of their American Football Jargon Buster, aimed at demystifying the sport for UK fans, Jason shared reflections on his Strictly experience.
The sports pundit and ex-NFL athlete mused: “I love Strictly. When I first started coming over here, it was one of the first shows I started looking at, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is really cool.’ And my daughter loves it, so we watch it together every year.”
Jason also expressed his ongoing support for Luba, while giving a shout-out to other contestants he’s rooting for, including Sam Quek, Tasha Ghouri, and JB Gill, reports the Daily Record.
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He elaborated on his admiration for the programme, saying: “I’m just a fan of the show, and I know how hard it is and the work they put in every week. So every time they’re out there and they finish, I can just feel the joy they have with accomplishing and getting through that dance.
“Because the hours that they put in for those couple of minutes is amazing, and I just applaud every time they finish. I’m just clapping, like, ‘Hey, good job. Because that is not easy.'”
When quizzed on who might clinch the title in the competition, Jason confessed: “I don’t know. I never know. That’s what I love about the show.”
He continued to express his admiration for the contestants, saying: “I’m just watching, but it’s what the fans want and what the votes are. I just look at people go out there and improve every week and dance. And I think I just celebrate them all because I understand how difficult that is.”
Delving into the details of his own rehearsals with Luba, he shared: “I just wanted to get through the dance and remember stuff. You know, I was like, ‘I remembered every move! This is great!'”
Jason added, reflecting on his performance regardless of scores: “You know, whatever the score was didn’t even matter, because I was like, ‘I did this!’ And that’s what I feel when they all go through it. It’s so challenging. You learn a lot about yourself, which is great.”
He also praised the show’s crew, remarking: “The one thing I always say about that show is that – those cameramen, the production, the music – it’s unbelievable. These are the best people on the planet working behind the scenes on this show. And you see it every weekend when we get to watch it.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Jason excitedly spoke about his new, helpful guide to help American Football novices understand the game better.
He said: “The British love their sports, but to understand your sports, you’ve got to know the rules, and Samsung has got some data together that shows over 60% of the public is struggling with knowing the rules.
“That’s why we started the NFL Jargon Buster playbook, so we can give them some of the terminology so they can try to follow along.
“Sometimes the words and terminology will kind of just throw you off, so being able to understand what it all means will allow you to [get into it].
“It’s just like learning a new language. You’ve just got to build on each word at a time, and the next thing you know, you’re speaking fluently.”
Summing up the game for new fans, he continued: “For the main rules, you just have to think that the team’s got four tries to move the ball 10 yards, and that’s, in essence, what you’re trying to do. It’s as simple as that.
“Watch the quarterback – that’s the key. Everything starts and ends with them, and really just move on from there. But keep watching and be patient with yourself.
“And then I would say, keep my Jargon Buster playbook right in front of you, in case something pops up. So, then you can say, ‘Oh, I know exactly what that means!’
“But now is the time to really get involved, because this is when good football is starting to be played,” he encouraged.
Jason also identified his top two teams: legacy champions Kansas City Chiefs, and the Detroit Lions, who he described as “the underdogs”.
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Jason Bell has partnered with Samsung , the official TV partner of NFL UK, to create the American Football Jargon Buster to help fans from fumbling the rules.
