Inside AJ Pritchard’s new role… on GB News: How his plans to become a superstar with his brother after Strictly failed – and why his furious new colleagues already think he’s a laughing stock
AJ Pritchard, who left Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 hoping to build a wider showbusiness career with his brother Curtis, has become a permanent presenter on GB News’s Saturday night programme The Saturday Five. The article presents the appointment as a sharp change in direction from his ambitions to become part of a major TV double act, and reports that colleagues have criticised his early performances.
Pritchard joined Strictly in 2016 at 21, becoming the show’s youngest professional dancer, after reaching the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. His brother Curtis appeared on Love Island in 2019, and the pair tried projects including social media videos and an acting role on Hollyoaks. The article says a clip from AJ’s GB News debut drew 1.7 million views, while the channel’s average monthly viewership in July was 81,600; it attributes negative reactions to unnamed colleagues and online commenters.
- AJ Pritchard has a permanent presenting role on GB News.
- He left Strictly in 2020 with ambitions to work alongside Curtis.
- A clip from his debut reportedly attracted 1.7 million views.
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AJ Pritchard is a dancer and television personality who became known as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing, joining the show in 2016. His brother Curtis is also a television personality, and the two have pursued projects together since Curtis appeared on Love Island in 2019.
After leaving Strictly in 2020, AJ sought to broaden his career with Curtis through projects including online videos and an acting role on Hollyoaks. GB News is a British television news channel, and The Saturday Five is one of its programmes. The move into presenting marks a different path from the brothers’ earlier plans to build a joint showbusiness profile.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Pritchard’s appointment could be seen as a chance to develop a presenting career beyond dance and entertainment, while bringing a recognisable personality to a channel seeking viewers. A widely viewed debut clip suggests there may be public interest, and early criticism from unnamed colleagues does not by itself establish how well he will perform over time.
The case against
The appointment may be questioned if his early performances have not yet shown the journalistic experience or on-air judgement viewers expect from a regular presenter. The contrast between a viral debut clip and the channel’s reported monthly audience also leaves open whether attention will translate into sustained viewership or make the programme more successful.