LAUREN: ‘Romance with AJ? You never know…’
The Paralympian talks dancing with Prince Charming
She’s a world champion in both swimming and the paratriathlon, but Lauren Steadman isn’t one to rest on her laurels. The 25 year old, who won another World Championship gold medal just days before her dancing debut, is putting all that athletic discipline to task in her bid to nab this year’s Strictly trophy. But it’s not all work and no play for the Paralympian – not when she has a certain dreamy pro dancer twirling her around the dance floor. Yes, we’re seriously shipping the would-be romance between Lauren and her partner AJ Pritchard, 23, who have been dubbed this year’s Romeo and Juliet. And when we chat to her about her journey so far, we gather that she’s not totally opposed to the idea…
You casually won gold in Australia ahead of your first Strictly dance – how did you manage that?
I think it was a case of being focused and having good time management. I’m generally a girl who trains very early in the morning and then later in the afternoon, so I had some free time during the day.
Are you in it to win it?
At the moment, I’m in it to be the best I can be, but it is a competition, and I will be very upset if I’m knocked out earlier than I want to be. I just want to better myself. I was watching my first dance back, and I was like, “Oh Lauren, your head! Your arms!”
The judges have praised the chemistry between you and AJ…
I was very pleased that everyone thought we looked romantic, because AJ told me that I wasn’t very good at acting! We’re getting on really well. We’re very similar in our mindset and how we approach life.
It can’t hurt that he’s an attractive guy…
No, it doesn’t. “Prince Charming”, as the judges called him. And he loves his hair, he’s very protective of it. I’m not allowed to touch it – it’s a no-go zone. He’s an amazing young man. What he’s achieved inspires me to achieve more, and his confidence in me is helping me to be confident.
Is he flirtatious?
It’s early days – not yet! We’re still getting to learn things about each other. He can be very expressive in his dancing and he grills me a lot. We’re not at the stage of flirting, I don’t think.
Could you see things ever turning romantic?
I think the public loves to believe there’s a story behind things. As with any relationship, you never really know and, at the moment, me and AJ are just becoming friends.
That’s not a no…
Well, I’m in it for the dancing at the moment. I suppose you need to have a good friendship with someone first.
‘AJ really loves his hair – he’s very protective of it’