AJ’s final gift for dance tutor
TRAGIC PAL IS REASON STRICTLY PRO IS FLYING HIGH Di is the red-hot pick for millions
STRICTLY dancer AJ Pritchard is desperate to reach the final in tribute to his late mentor.
The professional was devastated when beloved family friend Theresa Kerr died of cancer three years ago.
Without her support he would not be on one of the biggest shows on television.
AJ, 24, said: “My mentor passed away before I got the opportunity to do Strictly.
“But she’d always told me to grab every opportunity with both hands.
“It’s because of her that I signed up to do it. She’s the reason I chose to do the show.
“So all of the success I’ve had on Strictly is down to her.
“Every year I have managed to get to the semi-final, which has been amazing.
“I’m really hoping this time I’ll make it to the final.
“I know she would be overwhelmed by everything I’ve done on the show. She would be so proud of me.”
Before AJ joined Strictly he was a world champion in Latin and ballroom.
The youngster, who is competing with Paralympian Lauren Steadman, 25, this series, made it to the top after Theresa helped to fund his dance lessons.
AJ, inset with Theresa, said: “She was always there for me. I could always ask her for advice and she always had the correct answer.
“She felt like part of my family. “When she died from cancer it happened very suddenly. Losing her really affected my life. It changed my outlook.
“It taught me not to waste a second. She always said you should grab life by both hands.
“It’s a simple motto that I think more people should follow. She had a big impact on my life.
“I still have her in my contacts list on my phone. Every time I open my phone to call somebody her name pops up.”
Earlier this year AJ competed on Celebrity Hunted to raise cash for Stand Up To Cancer.
Donate at standuptocancer.org.uk. FIX anyone? It seems the judges are desperate to boot the fans’ favourites out once and for all.
Online sensation Joe Sugg looked more like Joe Mug after the judges panned his two dances on semi-final night – although his attempt to dress like a Peaky Blinder was more offensive to me.
He only scored a combined 59 which just beat plucky Lauren who was handed 54. It seemed mean-spirited by the experts.
They clearly want one of them to go to make sure Stacey, Faye and Ashley all make the final. Miss Perfect US high school cheerleader-type Ashley Roberts bagged another 40 and ended up on 76, equalled by Steps star Faye. Judges’ fave Stacey racked up 75 but hardly set the floor on fire.
It’s now up to the voters to try and save Joe or Lauren from the dance off. GET red-dy because Dianne Buswell is tipped to become one of Strictly’s biggest stars yet. The pro dancer, 29, has worked wonders with her celeb partner Joe Sugg, 27, this series. Every week they have thrilled millions of viewers with their routines.
Before the series started,YouTuber Joe had no dance experience. But Dianne refused to let that worry her.
She has worked around the clock to choreograph their routines and to train with him.
And now they are one of the fans’ favourites to lift the
Glitterball trophy.
A Strictly insider said: “Dianne has been nothing short of sensational this series. She’s worked really hard in training to help Joe reach his potential.
“Bosses have been really impressed by her work ethic. They definitely want her back next year.”
Dianne is such a hit with fans she is to front her own live tour next year.
The Aussie-born beauty will join fellow professionals Chloe Hewitt and Amy Dowden in Here Come The Girls. Fans will see them performing a string of thrilling routines. To catch the show, which kicks off in Dunstable on March 3, head online to herecomethe girlstour.co.uk.