AJ Pritchard’s heartbreak over cancer death: ‘Within two weeks of me last speaking to her, she died’

AJ Pritchard previously opened up about the tragic death of someone very dear to him.

The former Strictly pro has been a regular on TV screens for years. From stints on I’m A Celebrity to Celebrity Pointless – which airs today (January 3), AJ has remained booked and busy.

And in 2018, he appeared on the celebrity version of Hunted in support of Stand Up to Cancer. And according to AJ, he signed up for the show following a heartbreaking death.

AJ’s friend died years back (Credit: YouTube)

AJ Pritchard on friend’s death from cancer

In 2018, AJ spoke to MailOnline about taking part in the Stand Up To Cancer celebrity version of Hunted. On the show, he appeared alongside the likes of Louis Smith and Vicky Pattison.

He shared: “I do have personal reasons for doing it – the lady that helped fund and allow me to become the dancer I am today passed away so suddenly from cancer.”

The telly favourite went on to praise his friend and said: “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to travel the world and end up doing Strictly. She allowed me to live my dreams.”

The I’m A Celebrity star was left devastated (Credit: ITV)

‘Within two weeks of me last speaking to her, she died’

AJ continued: “Not everyone can do what I do, and that’s down to her… I owe her so much. So my way of giving back to her was to always be thankful and to work my [bleep] off.”

AJ then made a heartbreaking confession about his friend’s passing, revealing she died just before he signed up to Strictly, meaning she never knew he had bagged the job.

He said: “Literally, within two weeks of me last speaking to her, she died from cancer. So I would always take an opportunity like this with both hands.”

AJ’S second heartbreak

Unfortunately, that’s not the only heartbreak AJ has faced in recent years. During his stint on I’m A Celebrity, his nan passed away aged 93. AJ’s brother Curtis announced the sad news and revealed AJ wouldn’t be told about his nan’s death until he was out of the show.

He said: “Grandad said to myself and AJ that it would break his heart for us to stop what we were doing as Nanna had such pride in our work.

“AJ therefore discussed with the family before entering the castle that if something did happen to Nanna whilst he was away, that he wouldn’t want to be told until he left the castle and that in her honour he would complete his commitment to the show, with a view to doing her and the family proud.”

He added: “As Grandad and Nanna would have wished for, AJ will stay in the castle and continue making her proud wherever she is watching from.”

Watch AJ on Celebrity Pointless on Sunday (January 3) at 5:30pm on BBC One.

Read more: Inside Strictly star AJ Pritchard’s love life after ex ‘found messages to another woman’ following fireball blaze