Strictly Come Dancing's AJ Pritchard has appeared on This Morning alongside his brother Curtis after they suffered a brutal attack on Boxing Day. The brothers, from Nantwich in Cheshire, were enjoying themselves in the early hours of the 27th December when they were attacked by a group of eight, leaving Curtis hospitalised.
Curtis, who is also a professional dancer and was due to appear on Dancing With The Stars - the US version of Strictly - was knocked unconscious, and reportedly suffered a suspected broken nose, blurred vision, a split lip and knee injury, and has had to pull out of the show as a result.
The brothers appeared on This Morning earlier today (2nd January) to discuss what happened, and AJ revealed, "I think the really sad thing is we were out to have a good time, see each other as brothers and it came from nowhere. We weren't there to cause trouble."
Curtis admitted that he thought he knew what was behind the attack, saying, "I can only say it was maybe jealousy. AJ was getting photos from people," as AJ agreed, "Doing our TV show, Strictly, it's always so positive. It's never a negative light. The sad thing in this case - if someone comes up for a photo politely I will always say 'yes'.
"It made me very self aware of putting myself in a scenario with larger crowds. I'm doing with tour with Strictly. It will make me think twice."
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic
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2 of 12Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
3 of 12Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
4 of 12Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
5 of 12Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
6 of 12Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.
7 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!
8 of 12Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
9 of 12Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
10 of 12Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.
11 of 12Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.
12 of 12Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard
Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.
The brothers were then asked whether they thought Curtis' legs had been attacked on purpose because of his career, with the dancer saying, "I would hate to say that. For somebody to think like that is a horrible thought. For someone to intentionally harm someone. I don’t know really."
AJ praised his brother on Instagram in a touching New Year's tribute. Sharing a photo of the pair next to a mannequin of Superman, AJ wrote, 'With my real life superMAN - closes 2018 on a SUPER Positive note.. Thank you for all the love & support over the past few days. Thank you to each & everyone of the thousands of messages we have received.
'Yes it is a vile situation, but honestly the love has been overwhelming 🙏🏻, ...my brother is my BEST friend by choice @curtispritchard12 ... Happy New Year to everyone... It’s has been a Positive 2018 & will be a fantastic 2019...' [sic]