Strictly’s pro dancers need to watch their backs as new arrivals join the show, warns former star AJ Pritchard.
AJ’s warning came as BBC bosses revealed four new pro dancers – Brit Lauren Oakley, Latin champ Michelle Tsiakkas, European trophy winner Vito Coppola and Chinese ace Carlos Gu. Lauren, from Birmingham, is a former under-21 British national Latin dance champion.
Their arrival follows the exit of two-time Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball winner Oti Mabuse and hunk Aljaz Skorjanec.
AJ, 27, who left in 2020, told the Sunday Mirror: “I know Lauren and Carlos – because he was taught by one of my teachers, so it’s exciting.
“I used to compete against Lauren. I think a fresh buzz could be interesting. I think everybody who does dancing is competitive. It will be interesting who gets partnered and who doesn’t. That’s the waiting game.”
The Strictly professionals’ rumoured celebrity partners when the show returns in September include Hollywood actor Andrew Garfield, 38, TV journalist Louis Theroux, 52, and ex-Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffat, 31.
AJ was speaking at Cirque du Soleil’s new arena production Corteo at London’s O2 arena where he was joined by girlfriend Abbie Quinnen.
AJ helped Abbie after she suffered third degree burns in a freak accident. Abbie said: “I was so ill. I just appreciate him every single day for how amazing he was.”
AJ added: “And a lust for life. We appreciate life I think that’s the most important thing. A lust for life I think is probably the core fundamentals..”
Corteo, Cirque du Soleil’s arena production, is in Manchester from 5-9 October, Glasgow from 12-16 October and Birmingham from 19-23 October. Tickets at cirquedusoleil.com/corteo
