Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard is reportedly facing a behind-the-scenes career crisis after narrowly missing out on a spot on the American version of the show, Dancing With The Stars. The 31-year-old dancer finished as runner-up on the spin-off series Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, with Adele Zaikman taking the winning spot. Now, sources claim his prospects for returning to the UK show have all but vanished.
Career Setback After DWTS Runner-Up Finish
AJ, who was a professional on Strictly from 2016 to 2019, competed on The Next Pro hoping to join the US show's roster of dancers. Despite reaching the final, he ultimately placed second, missing out on the prize he described as his route into Dancing With The Stars. According to an insider speaking to The Sun, the loss has left him in a difficult position, with opportunities reportedly 'drying up'.
The dancer's time on the show was overshadowed by controversial comments he made about wanting to see 'more British dancers' on Strictly, as well as a public conflict with fellow ballroom dancer Rylee Arnold, who described his teaching methods as 'intense'. These remarks drew criticism from former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse, who branded him 'controversial' and suggested it would be 'hard for him to come back from this'.
Strictly Return 'Extremely Unlikely'
Sources now claim that AJ's comments have alienated him from the Strictly community. 'AJ has put a lot of noses out of joint back at Strictly,' an insider told The Sun. 'It's extremely unlikely he will ever be asked to return, and he is not popular in the pro dance community back here.'
The insider added that his remarks about British dancers 'ruffled feathers' among former co-stars, with Venezuelan pro Karen Hauer calling the comments 'low'. The source said there are people who 'feel he's bitten the hand that fed him', noting that 'he was part of the Strictly family for years, so his comments were always going to get people talking'.
Reality TV Stints and Uncertain Future
AJ had previously appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Hunted, I'm A Celebrity, and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and he and his brother Curtis served as guest choreographers on RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Despite this reality TV experience, the source acknowledged the 'irony' of his situation: 'He boldly claimed British dancers deserved more opportunities while simultaneously trying to win one of the biggest opportunities available to dancers in America.'
The insider noted that 'getting to the final of The Next Pro was a huge achievement, but ultimately he didn't get the prize he was chasing. That was supposed to be his route into Dancing with the Stars, and now that door has closed.' AJ is now said to be 'somewhat isolated from the Strictly circle', with the source adding that 'rebuilding those relationships won't be easy – in fact, it'll be quite impossible.'
During the competition, AJ revealed he had delayed his wedding to Zara Zoffany to take part, having proposed last July. In an emotional scene, he said through tears: 'It's overwhelming when I actually think about the lengths I've gone to. To not achieve what I've given up everything for would just be so disappointing.'
Ahead of the finale, AJ posted a TikTok video saying he'd had 'so much fun' on the programme, adding that dancing is about 'having fun, spreading joy, and just going out there and leaving a lasting memory and a smile on everybody's face'. After finishing as runner-up, he told Entertainment Weekly that he relished the 'opportunity to dance in the finale' with season 31 winner Charli D'Amelio, while admitting the loss was hard to take: 'Obviously, I'm absolutely devastated from every being in my body.'
Representatives for AJ Pritchard have been contacted for comment.
