AJ Pritchard announces departure from Strictly Come Dancing

Former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard has been photographed out and about for the first time since announcing his decision to quit the series.The 25 year old professional dancer grinned widely as he was snapped out getting supplies with his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen. AJ, who’s last Strictly partner Saffron Barker was told of his decision to leave Strictly before his co-stars, cut a casual look as he wore a florescent green Nike t-shirt with tiny black stripes on the front.

Laura Whitmore has laid into Strictly Come Dancing bosses, claiming they forced her to spend up to 12 hours a day with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 29, back in 2016.The 34 year old opened up about her experience on the dance competition show in an interview on the Private Parts podcast.

Michelle Keegan is apparently at the top of the list of celebrities BBC bosses most want to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. After quitting her role as Georgie Lane in the channel's Our Girl, it's believed that Michelle is in high demand to take part in the dancing competition and has been made "number one target".The 32 year old actress would follow in the ballroom shoes of her husband Mark Wright who stormed to the final back in 2014 but lost out to late TV presenter Caroline Flack.

Saffron Barker has revealed she knew AJ Pritchard was quitting Strictly Come Dancing before his shock announcement.The 19 year old competed on the hit BBC show with AJ, 25, last year — which turned out to be his final series as part of the show. But while the nation — and his co-stars — were left shocked by the announcement, social media sensation Saffron knew he was stepping down.

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing have announced they were as shocked as the public when AJ Pritchard announced he was leaving the show. AJ, 24, revealed he was leaving the hit BBC show after four years last week, saying he would "explore opportunities in the presenting world alongside his brother Curtis." His former co-stars Karen Hauer and Oti Mabuse joined Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Monday's This Morning from their homes and were asked their reaction to AJ's departure.

AJ Pritchard shocked the nation on Thursday 26 March when he announced he would be stepping down from his role on Strictly Come Dancing. Now the 25 year old has revealed the real reason behind his shock decision as he explained that he actually wants to move on to becoming the "new Ant and Dec" double act presenters with his brother Curtis, 24.

Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard has announced that he has quit the show after four years.

AJ Pritchard has quit Strictly Come Dancing after four years on the BBC dance show.