AJ Pritchard Faces Backlash for GB News Debut, Critics Urge Return to Dancing
Former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard's first outing as a presenter on GB News has drawn sharp criticism from viewers who suggest he should focus on his dancing career.
AJ Pritchard, known for his role on the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing, has been met with a wave of negative feedback following his debut as a presenter on GB News. Viewers took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express their disappointment with his performance on the channel's "The Saturday Five" program.
During his segment, Pritchard, 31, discussed the issue of petty crime, arguing that it is not victimless. He described instances of shoplifting, where individuals take items like meal deals, suggesting that the cumulative effect of such actions on businesses is significant.
However, many viewers were unimpressed with his commentary and presenting skills. "He should stick to dancing. Don’t know why he gave that up," one user posted, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Others questioned his transition from professional dancer to journalist, with one comment stating, "Since when was a dancing professional a journalist?"
Despite the criticism, a portion of viewers offered encouragement, acknowledging that it was his first presenting role and that he might have been nervous. "Good for him," wrote one supporter, while another commented, "AJ Pritchard did such a great job on GB News today!" Some felt he showed potential, noting that he was adapting to reading from a teleprompter and would likely improve with time.
Pritchard gained fame on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019 before moving on to roles in the television show Hollyoaks and a stint on "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro." His foray into news presenting marks his latest career venture.
This GB News appearance follows a recent controversy where Pritchard suggested that Strictly Come Dancing should prioritize British dancers over international performers. This stance drew criticism from fellow professional dancers, including Karen Hauer, who argued that such comments were "low" and that the show benefits from diverse talent. Hauer, who recently departed Strictly after 14 years, stated that many popular professional dancers on the show have not been British and that international dancers contribute positively to the program's appeal.