Why is AJ Pritchard not on Strictly Come Dancing this year?
FANS were devastated when AJ Pritchard announced his departure from the Strictly ballroom.
However, the dancing pro has big things on the horizon, including a rumoured appearance on I’m A Celebrity.
Is AJ doing Strictly this year?
AJ Pritchard has sadly quit Strictly for good, and has no plans to ever go back.
He told The Sun:“I made a decision and I’m very happy with that decision.
“I felt like coming out on what was a complete high.
“That last year with Saffron was a fantastic year, and if you don’t move forward and keep striving for what is your end goal, you won’t be able to make that jump.
“To wait another year just didn’t feel right for me. I won’t ever go back.”
AJ has said he wants to pursue a career in TV presenting with his brother Curtis, of Love Island fame.
He said: “Our aim is to get roles on big shiny floor TV shows and to become a household name as presenters.
“We want to definitely get our own shows commissioned and be like Ant and Dec.
When did he join Strictly?
The dancer joined the show back in 2016 when he was just 21.
In his four years there, AJ’s highest finish was in his first year, when he came fourth with Team GB gymnast Claudia Fragapane in 2016.
However, his most memorable series came the following year with singer Mollie King from The Saturdays
The pair were rumoured to be getting close away from the dance floor and reached the semi finals together.
Next the dancer was paired with Laura Steadman in 2018 and they came 5th.
His last series in 2019 saw him and YouTube star Saffron Barker eliminated on week 10, making this the first series where AJ failed to reach the semi-final.
Is he going on I’m A Celebrity?
The Sun first revealed the 25-year-old dancer was in talks to join the ITV show, which is being filmed in the UK for the first time, back in April.
Most read in Celebrity
A source told The Sun at the time: “AJ has a huge fanbase from Strictly and he’s really grateful for the opportunity it afforded him but he is keen to show people that there is a lot more to him.
“Bosses think he would be a great addition to the cast and it always helps to secure a heartthrob as it draws in much-needed younger viewers.”
AJ appeared on Lorraine on October 19 alongside his brother Curtis to discuss their new podcast, but awkwardly refused to deny rumours that would be doing I’m A Celebrity.