From ballroom professional to television personality: the career trajectory of AJ Pritchard
In short: Born in Stoke-on-Trent, AJ Pritchard rose to prominence as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing. Since departing the hit BBC series in 2020, he has navigated a diverse path through reality television, acting, and presenting, consistently remaining in the public eye through various high-profile media appearances and challenges.
Alex Joseph Pritchard, born in 1994, began his dance training at age 12. His early career was defined by his partnership with Chloe Hewitt, with whom he reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2013. This success paved the way for his entry into the professional lineup of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. Over four series, he became known for his innovative choreography, though he frequently faced elimination at the semi-final stage.
Pritchard's transition away from professional dance in March 2020 marked a pivot toward broader media work. His television portfolio is extensive, spanning reality competitions like I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and The Challenge UK. He also ventured into acting, appearing in the soap opera Hollyoaks alongside his brother, Curtis, though their performances drew widespread criticism. His career has not been without personal challenges, including an unprovoked assault in 2018 and navigating life with OCD, dyslexia, and colour blindness.
In recent years, Pritchard has continued to evolve his public persona. In 2026, he returned to dance competition on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, finishing as the runner-up to Adele Zaikman. By October 2026, he had transitioned into a new role as a presenter for GB News. This shift from the dance floor to the news desk reflects a broader trend of reality television stars leveraging their platform to secure diverse roles across the British media landscape.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: AJ Pritchard
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