The professional lineup of Strictly Come Dancing has been the subject of discussion following comments made by AJ Pritchard. The remarks have drawn criticism from his former colleagues, coming as Pritchard recently sought professional opportunities on the American edition of the franchise.
Pritchard served as a Strictly professional for four seasons between 2016 and 2019. On September 2, 2026, he finished in second place on the U.S. reality competition Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The result has been noted by critics who highlighted his pursuit of professional opportunities in the United States.
In July 2026, Oti Mabuse criticized Pritchard’s comments, noting that they had “rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.”
