Emotional tribute to AJ’s mentor

STRICTLY Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard wants to make the final in tribute to his late mentor.

The professional dancer was devastated when a beloved family friend, who encouraged him to dance, died of cancer three years ago.

AJ had been guided by Theresa Kerr since he was 15 and says that without her support he wouldn’t be on the hit BBC show.

Pritchard, 24, said: “My mentor passed away before I got the opportunity to do Strictly. But she always told me to grab every opportunity with both hands. So it’s because of her that I signed up to do it. “So all of the success I’ve had on Strictly is down to her. Each year I’ve managed to get to the semi-final, which has been amazing. I’m hoping this time I make it to the final. “I know she would be overwhelmed by everything I’ve done on the show. She would be so