Strictly’s AJ Pritchard ‘100 per cent’ wants to be the first pro to dance with a same-sex partner

"I'm 100 per cent the pro to do it. "

AJ Pritchard has said he "100 per cent" wants to be the first Strictly Come Dancing pro to compete with a same sex partner. He's been a contender in each of the last three series, after he was paired with Claudia Fragapane, Mollie King and Lauren Steadman. And now the 24-year-old told the Daily Mail he "100 per cent" wants to be the first professional dancer on the series to dance competitively with someone of the same sex. He said:

"If they do decide to finally do same-sex partners on Strictly this year I 100 per cent want to be the pro to do it. "If it's going to be anyone [in a same-sex pairing], I'd like it to be me. I'm 100 per cent the pro to do it. I guess it all depends on who the celebrity contestants are this year. "So I think we have to wait and see; but if same-sex partnerships do happen it's going to be so captivating. And I am very open to it. People enjoy seeing bodies moving, it doesn't matter [about gender]."

The dancer also spoke about how it felt to find out he would be returning for the next season of the popular BBC dance programme. Strictly Come Dancing producers confirmed this week that AJ will be returning, alongside Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton, Karen Clifton, Katya and Neil Jones - as well as many others. AJ said:

"I know this is my fourth year now but it's still a pinch myself moment to find out I'm going back again for 2019. It's literally like a dream. "Like any contract, waiting for it to be renewed is always at the back of your mind. But now I can relax a bit. "And who knows -  maybe it's going to be fourth year lucky!"