A. J. Pritchard

A. J. Pritchard – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Explore the inspiring journey of A. J. Pritchard — from Stoke-on-Trent dancer to TV personality. Learn about his early life, dance career, challenges, legacy, and powerful quotes.

Introduction

A. J. Pritchard (Alex Joseph Pritchard), born November 5, 1994, is a British dancer, choreographer, and television personality known for his appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent, and various reality shows. His story is one of passion, resilience, reinvention, and openness about mental health and identity. In this article, we’ll look at his life, career arc, values, and quotes that illuminate who he is.

Early Life and Family

Alex Joseph “A. J.” Pritchard was born in Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England on November 5, 1994.

He grew up with a younger brother, Curtis Pritchard, who is also a professional dancer and TV personality.

His parents ran a dance school, which played a foundational role in his exposure to dance and early training.

From about the age of 12, he began formal dance training, pairing up with Chloe Hewitt from their dance school as his partner.

Growing up, A. J. faced both the joys and pressures of being labeled “a dancer” early—he has spoken in interviews about stigma and stereotypes attached to young male dancers.

He also has revealed that he lives with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), dyslexia, and is colour blind (color blind).

Career and Achievements

Early Breakthroughs

• In 2013, A. J. Pritchard and his dance partner Chloe Hewitt auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. They advanced to the semi-finals.

• During his youth, A. J. and Chloe competed in youth and junior Latin dance competitions, winning titles such as National Youth Latin Championships in the UK and representing Britain abroad.

Strictly Come Dancing

A major turning point in A. J.’s public career was joining Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer:

• From 2016 to 2019, he was a professional on Strictly Come Dancing, partnering various celebrities.

• His first series was with Claudia Fragapane (Olympic gymnast), where they reached the semi-finals, placing 4th.

• In subsequent series, he partnered Mollie King, Lauren Steadman, and Saffron Barker. He was often praised for his choreography, style, and fitness.

• After four seasons, he left Strictly in 2020 to pursue other opportunities.

Television and Reality Appearances

Beyond dance competitions, A. J. has branched into varied TV projects:

• In 2020, he competed on I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! where he was eliminated mid-season.

• He has also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and as a guest choreographer on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

• In 2021, he made a (polarizing) acting debut in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, alongside his brother.

• More recently, he participated in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (2022) and The Challenge UK (2023).

• In 2025, he even ventured into celebrity boxing, announcing a fight under the Misfits Boxing promotions.

Challenges & Personal Hardships

• On December 27, 2018, A. J. and his brother Curtis were victims of an unprovoked assault in Nantwich. A. J. sustained bruising to face, body, and limbs.

• He has publicly discussed his struggles with OCD, anxiety, and the mental pressures of performance and public expectations.

Despite these challenges, A. J. remains active, evolving his brand, exploring new performance directions, and engaging with his audience.

Legacy and Influence

Though still relatively young, A. J. Pritchard’s contributions have notable impact:

• He has helped bring dance, especially modern interpretations of ballroom/Latin, to broader audiences via TV.

• His openness about mental health, neurodiversity (dyslexia, OCD), and identity helps normalize discussion in performance communities.

• His transitions across roles—performer, choreographer, actor, reality contestant—reflect a modern artist’s need to adapt and diversify.

• His visibility and interviews have challenged stereotypes about male dancers, especially concerning sexuality and expression.

• Young dancers may look to his path as a model for combining technical skill, media presence, and authenticity.

Personality & Traits

From interviews, statements, and public behaviors, some consistent traits emerge:

• Ambitious, high-drive: He often says he “throws himself fully” into tasks.

• Open-minded & growth-oriented: He values continuous learning and change.

• Authentic & relational: He emphasizes being true to the heart, caring deeply about his brother, and not being overly concerned with public perception.

• Artistic & narrative: He views dance as storytelling, regardless of partner gender, focusing on conveying emotion.

• Resilient & persistent: He speaks of pushing through stigma, doubt, and hardships.

Famous Quotes by A. J. Pritchard

Here are some standout quotes attributed to A. J. Pritchard reflecting his mind, values, and journey:

“Dance is about portraying and telling a story and whether that be two males, two females, a group of guys, or a group of girls, it doesn’t matter as long as the story is beautiful.”

“From the age of 12 when I decided to dance in high school, everyone was saying, ‘Oh, you’re a dancer,’ and there was that kind of stigma about it.”

“If you’re gonna do a job, do it properly.”

“Stick to your heart.”

“Things always change and you can't ever say never, because you don't know what is around the corner.”

“It doesn’t bother me … being questioned about our sexuality … Dance is about movement to music.”

“When I do a job, I like to throw myself fully into it.”

These quotes offer windows into his honesty, artistic philosophy, perseverance, and commitment to integrity.

Lessons from A. J. Pritchard

From his life and public journey, we can draw lessons valuable for artists and beyond:

1. Be versatile
   Don’t limit yourself to one niche. Adapt, evolve, and take on new challenges.

2. Authenticity matters more than perfection
   Being true to one’s self, even in public spotlight, sustains confidence and connection.

3. Stereotypes weaken in light of art
   By focusing on the story and emotional truth in dance, labels and expectations become less relevant.

4. Vulnerability can be strength
   Acknowledging mental health, neurodiversity, and struggles invites empathy and resilience.

5. Persevere through adversity
   Physical setbacks, public scrutiny, or personal crises don’t have to derail your mission.

6. Embrace change & uncertainty
   The future is seldom linear. Saying “never” closes doors; curiosity keeps you open.

Conclusion

A. J. Pritchard’s journey—from a boy in Stoke-on-Trent with a passion for dance to a recognized name on British television—is still unfolding. His path is about dedication, reinvention, storytelling, and personal truth. Through performance, openness, and continued ambition, he offers both inspiration and a guidepost: pursue your art, own your narrative, and keep dancing even when the lights dim.