After an unprovoked nightclub attack which left him and his brother Curtis needing hospital treatment, reports claim Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard is ‘traumatised’ and ‘afraid to leave the house’.
AJ and Curtis were on a night out at Cheshire club Nakatcha on Friday evening when they were set upon by a group of men who punched and kicked them.
Following the attack, a source close to the brothers told the Sunday Mirror: “AJ is beside himself with worry and anxiety. He is so traumatised by what happened he doesn’t want to leave the house.
“He has told friends he doesn’t understand why this has happened to him. He has never been targeted before and this has come out of the blue.”
AJ is the second Strictly pro to be targeted in recent times, with Gorka Marquez losing two teeth after being attacked in Blackpool during the show’s 2016 series. It’s thought that the attacks have led to security being boosted on the upcoming Strictly live tour.
The source added: “This is starting to become a regular occurrence and there is a fear that it could happen again. The men seem to be targeted because they are on the show, there is a lot of jealousy.
“It seems only right that there should be more security for them.”
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Most memorable Strictly Come Dancing moments EVER! SLIDER
1 of 131. Ann Widdecombe as Big Bird
2 of 132. Bruce Forsyth shooing McFly off the dancefloor after Harry Judd won in 2011
3 of 133. Gavin Henson snogging Bruno Tonioli
4 of 134. Mark Ramprakash getting tangled up with his partner Karen Hardy
5 of 135. Russell Grant emerging from a seashell
6 of 136. Nancy Dell'Olio's terrible Halloween performance
7 of 137. Quentin Wilson gets the lowest score ever. Erm, 8 out of 40...
8 of 139. Ann Widdecombe's Paso Doble
9 of 1310. John Sergeant's wasn't much better, mind you...
10 of 1311. Bruce Forsyth and Anton du Beck join forces
11 of 13Russell Grant gets shot out of a cannon
12 of 1312. Ed Balls' EPIC Gangnam Style routine
13 of 1313. Susan Calman totally killing it as Wonder Woman
A spokesperson for the Pritchard family confirmed that AJ and Curtis, who is a professional dancer on Dancing With The Stars Ireland, were injured in a statement.
They said: “Curtis is due to undergo an emergency operation in the next few days to correct the damages he has sustained to his knee, he is also recovering from injuries to his eye and face.
“AJ received bruising to his face, arms, body and legs. Statements have been given to Cheshire Police and they are currently undergoing an investigation.”
The stars of Strictly have been reaching out to AJ on social media with messages of support.
Lauren Steadman, who partnered with the dance pro on the show’s most recent series, shared a snap of them both on Instagram, writing: “Hoping my dance partner will get his smile back soon @aj11ace wishing both AJ and @curtispritchard12 speedy recoveries.”
Fellow professional dancer Katya Jones tweeted: “I can’t believe what happen[ed] to @Aj11Ace and @CurtisPritchard. Sending lots of love your way. It’s Christmas people! Where is humanity going? #Disappointed.”
Giovanni Pernice, who is thought to be romancing Ashley Roberts, added: “Wtf is wrong with this people????? Guys I’m so sorry @CurtisPritchard @Aj11Ace I’m with you all the way!! Disgusting!!!! [sic]"
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