JLS star JB Gill says horrific rugby injury was 'meant to be' as it drove him to music
JLS star JB Gill has revealed that he was tipped for a place in the rugby premiership prior to his success with X Factor boyband JLS, but that a horrific injury he suffered "was meant to be", in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
JB Gill discusses his career change from JLS star to farmer
JLS singer and songwriter JB Gill had a glittering career ahead of him as a professional sportsman after excelling at youth rugby, but a horrific injury as a child disqualified him from progressing further. However JB insisted the painful injury was "meant to be" as it led him to music.
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Do I feel like everything happened for a reason to steer me to where I am today? Oh absolutely! I'm a firm believer in that
"Do I feel like everything happened for a reason to steer me to where I am today? Oh absolutely," he told Express.co.uk, adding: "I'm a firm believer in that."
During secondary school, the talented youngster joined pro rugby club London Irish and, according to his proud mum Cynthia, "was on a trajectory to playing professionally".
Then during a competitive away game in Europe, he suffered an agonising ankle injury when he was tackled by another player.
"Guys that I played rugby with [before my injury] have gone on and played in the premiership, 1st division, 2nd division... so there's no doubt that I might have been able to make a career out of it," JB revealed to Express.co.uk.
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However, his injury changed everything - and the disappointed star resigned himself to the fact that "I perhaps wouldn't go into professional sport".
JB continued: "There are a certain number of spots in terms of players retiring, and new players coming through the ranks.
"Of course I was one of a number of maybe 15 or 20 boys, so there's no guarantee that even if I hadn't had that injury that I would have gone all the way - but I've got a lot of friends who have gone on to play professionally."
The disappointed hopeful ended up bowing out - but as one door closed, another one opened.
The time that his absence from sport freed up allowed him to channel his energies into his other main passion - music.
"I have always loved and always been involved in music. I grew up playing instruments," he shared.
"I played student piano [at university] and I've always been involved in choirs as well growing up."
Then he met the boys with whom he would go on to form the multi-million selling group JLS - and the rest was history.
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Meanwhile, although JB didn't get to pursue rugby, he thinks he may be able to live his early dreams vicariously through his sport-mad son Ace.
"My son is incredibly passionate about it, he loves playing his football," he revealed.
"The time that'll really tell is when he's 14, 15, 16 maybe, and on the brink of a professional career. If that's the case, then by all means [myself and wife Chloe will support him.]"
He added: "Chloe and I have been involved in the entertainment industry, which is relatively similar, and so we're in a good position to guide [him] on the various pitfalls."
JB is also father to daughter Chiara, who starts primary school this September, and he feels she is already displaying an aptitude for dancing.
The proud dad continued that he believes "the sky's the limit" for his kids, as "children are the future".
"They can be anything they put their minds to and we're here as their parents just to encourage them," he explained.
He has already invested in their childhood by purchasing a 22-acre farm for them to enjoy while they wait to see what the future holds.
