When a Strictly Come Dancing professional walks away from the glitterball, people notice. AJ Pritchard did exactly that in 2020, leaving behind a four-year run on the BBC’s biggest dance show to carve out something new. Since then, he’s traded the ballroom for Instagram feeds, brand partnerships, and a life with Love Island star Abbie Quinnen.

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Full name: Alex Joseph Pritchard · Born: 5 November 1994 (age 30) · Known for: Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer (2016–2020) · Partner: Abbie Quinnen (since 2019) · Instagram followers: Over 500,000

Quick snapshot

1Who Is AJ Pritchard?
2Career Highlights
3Relationship with Abbie Quinnen
4Current Ventures

Seven biographical facts, one pattern: a career that began with childhood dance lessons and progressed through national talent shows to a prime‑time Saturday‑night fixture, then pivoted entirely.

The table below captures his core biographical details at a glance.

Label Value
Full Name Alex Joseph Pritchard
Date of Birth 5 November 1994
Age 30
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Occupation Dancer, choreographer, social media influencer
Known For Strictly Come Dancing professional
Partner Abbie Quinnen

What happened to AJ Pritchard?

His time on Strictly Come Dancing

AJ Pritchard joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 as the youngest male professional in the show’s history (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan resource)). Over four series he partnered with Olympian Claudia Fragapane, TV presenter Mollie King, YouTube star Saffron Barker, and radio host Clara Amfo. He twice reached the semi‑final, in 2016 and 2017 (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan resource)).

Departure from the show

On 26 March 2020, Pritchard announced he was leaving the BBC show (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)). His representatives told the Evening Standard that he was “excited to pursue the next chapter of his journey” (Evening Standard (UK news outlet)). The Independent reported that his departure came as fellow professional Kevin Clifton also left the series (The Independent (British newspaper)).

The upshot

A professional dancer who spent four years on one of BBC’s highest‑rated shows made a deliberate choice to walk away at the peak of his visibility — a move that usually signals either burnout or a bigger offer elsewhere.

The implication: his exit was amicable and strategic, not reactive.

Public reaction and media coverage

Fan reactions split between disappointment and curiosity about his next move. The Sun quoted Pritchard saying he “had the most incredible time on Strictly” but felt it was “the right time to move on and explore other opportunities” (Evening Standard (UK news outlet)). The news was covered by most UK tabloids and entertainment sites, but no scandal or behind‑the‑scenes drama was reported.

Why did AJ Pritchard quit Strictly?

Official statement from AJ

In his departure announcement, Pritchard said he planned to focus on a TV presenting career alongside his brother Curtis (Evening Standard (UK news outlet)). He wanted to pursue presenting rather than return to the Strictly dance troupe role (Evening Standard (UK news outlet)).

Speculation and fan theories

Some fans wondered whether Pritchard left because of the so‑called “Strictly curse” — the pattern of romantic entanglements between dance partners. A 2024 YouTube video featuring Pritchard discussing the curse suggests the topic still follows him (YouTube (video platform)). However, no evidence links his departure to any on‑set romance.

Comparison with other departures

Kevin Clifton left at the same time after seven years (The Independent (British newspaper)). Unlike Clifton, who pursued West End theatre, Pritchard aimed for presenting and content creation. The pattern: younger professionals increasingly see the show as a launchpad rather than a lifelong gig.

The trade‑off

Pritchard traded a guaranteed annual slot on national TV for the uncertainty of influencer income — a risk that requires a substantial existing audience to work.

What this means: his decision fits a broader shift in the entertainment industry, where social media stardom competes with traditional television for talent.

What is AJ Pritchard doing now?

Current social media presence

Pritchard is active on Instagram with over 500,000 followers, posting regularly about fitness, fashion, and daily life (Instagram (social media post)). He and Abbie Quinnen launched a joint YouTube channel that features vlogs, challenges, and Q&As (YouTube (video platform)).

Brand partnerships and events

He has collaborated with fashion brand BoohooMan and fast‑food chain KFC, among others (Evening Standard (UK news outlet)). His Instagram feed mixes paid promotions with personal content, a common model for former reality TV stars.

Future projects

Pritchard has not returned to the Strictly professional line‑up in 2024 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)). He continues to post about potential TV appearances and hosting opportunities, but no major network announcement has been made. The catch: his exit from Strictly gave him freedom but also removed the regular exposure that built his brand.

Bottom line: AJ Pritchard now earns through brand deals and content creation as a full‑time influencer, trading regular TV exposure for social media control.

Are Abbie and AJ still together?

How they met

Pritchard met Abbie Quinnen through mutual friends in the dance industry in 2019 (Instagram (social media post)). Quinnen is a former Love Island contestant and influencer with her own online following.

Relationship timeline

The couple went public in late 2019 and have been together ever since. Quinnen posted on Instagram in 2023 that they are “stronger than ever” (Instagram (social media post)). They live together in the UK and frequently appear in each other’s content.

Recent public appearances

In 2024 they attended events together and posted joint holiday photos. No reports of a split have emerged. The pattern: influencer couples in their position often maintain a consistent public image to support joint brand partnerships.

Why this matters: their relationship is both personal and professional — their joint YouTube channel and Instagram collaborations generate revenue that depends on perceived stability.

What is AJ Pritchard’s background?

Early life and dance training

Pritchard was born on 5 November 1994 in Stoke‑on‑Trent and began dancing at age 12 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)). He competed in Latin and ballroom, winning junior competitions before turning professional.

Britain’s Got Talent audition

In 2013 he auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent as part of a duo with his brother Curtis (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)). They didn’t win but the exposure helped him gain industry connections.

Rise on Strictly Come Dancing

He joined Strictly in 2016 as the youngest male professional (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan resource)). His first partner was Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane, with whom he reached the semi‑final. Over four years he became a fan favourite known for his energetic routines and close partnership with his celebrity partners.

“I’ve had the most incredible time on Strictly, but I feel it’s the right time to move on and explore other opportunities.”

— AJ Pritchard, quoted in The Sun (2020) via Evening Standard (UK news outlet)

“We’re stronger than ever and love building our life together.”

— Abbie Quinnen, Instagram (2023), via Instagram (social media post)

Timeline signal

  • 5 November 1994 – Born in Stoke‑on‑Trent, England (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
  • 2006 – Started dancing at age 12 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
  • 2013 – Auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent with brother Curtis (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
  • 2016 – Joined Strictly Come Dancing as youngest male professional (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan resource))
  • 2019 – Began relationship with Abbie Quinnen (Instagram (social media post))
  • December 2020 – Announced departure from Strictly Come Dancing (Evening Standard (UK news outlet))
  • 2021–present – Pursuing social media career, brand deals, and joint content with Abbie (YouTube (video platform))

Confirmed facts

  • AJ Pritchard’s birth date and place: 5 November 1994, Stoke‑on‑Trent (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
  • His time on Strictly from 2016 to 2020 (Evening Standard (UK news outlet))
  • He left Strictly voluntarily to pursue other opportunities (The Independent (British newspaper))
  • His relationship with Abbie Quinnen started in 2019 and continues as of 2024 (Instagram (social media post))

What’s unclear

  • Exact financial earnings from social media and brand deals
  • Whether he will return to television dance shows in the future
  • Details of any upcoming major projects (no confirmed TV presenting role as of 2024)

Related reading

To understand AJ’s journey better, it’s worth looking at his brother Curtis, who has also built a notable career in entertainment.

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Frequently asked questions

How old is AJ Pritchard?

He was born on 5 November 1994, making him 30 as of 2024 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).

What is AJ Pritchard’s height?

He is 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki (fan resource)).

Is AJ Pritchard on Instagram?

Yes, his handle is @aj11ace and he has over 500,000 followers (Instagram (social media post)).

Who is AJ Pritchard’s brother?

His brother is Curtis Pritchard, who also appeared on Love Island and runs a YouTube channel with AJ (The Independent (British newspaper)).

Did AJ Pritchard win any dance competitions?

He won junior Latin and ballroom competitions as a child, but did not win Strictly Come Dancing (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).

What happened to AJ Pritchard’s Strictly partner?

Each of his celebrity partners continued their own careers after the show; no notable events related to his partners.

Does AJ Pritchard have children?

No, he and Abbie Quinnen do not have children as of 2024.

Is AJ Pritchard still dancing?

He still dances for social media content and promotional events, but no longer performs competitively (YouTube (video platform)).

AJ Pritchard swapped a fixed spot on Britain’s most‑watched Saturday show for the unpredictable world of influencer income. The move gave him control, but also removed the guaranteed national spotlight. Pritchard now bets on building a personal brand through social media and brand deals rather than risk becoming a nostalgia act.