In the glittering, high-pressure world of Strictly Come Dancing, where sequins sparkle under studio lights and every paso doble is dissected by millions, former professional dancer AJ Pritchard has dropped a bombshell revelation that has fans reeling.

The 31-year-old, who graced the BBC ballroom from 2016 to 2019, has branded the show ‘mentally brutal’ — admitting the relentless public scrutiny, media hounding and emotional toll over months on end made it one of the toughest challenges of his career… even tougher, in some ways, than the infamous Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Daily in a candid new interview published January 18, 2026 — ahead of the new series of Celebrity SAS on Channel 4 — AJ didn’t hold back. Reflecting on his time as a pro dancer (partnered with stars like Lauren Steadman, Mollie King and more), he compared the two iconic reality formats head-on.

‘They’re tough in very different ways,’ he explained. ‘Strictly Come Dancing lasts months and comes with constant public judgment, media pressure and mental stress. SAS is short but incredibly intense.’

He doubled down: ‘If you struggle to block things out, Strictly can be mentally brutal over a long period. SAS hits you hard straight away. They’re just different kinds of tough.’

The comments have ignited fierce debate among fans, former contestants and TV insiders. For a show celebrated as feel-good escapism — where celebrities learn to dance, form bonds and chase the Glitterball Trophy — AJ’s description paints a starkly different picture: one of isolation, exhaustion and unrelenting criticism.

AJ joined Strictly in 2016 at just 21, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his technical precision, charisma and boyish charm. Paired with the likes of Paralympian Lauren Steadman (with whom he reached the final), The Saturdays’ Mollie King and radio host Dev Griffin, he earned a reputation as one of the show’s most reliable pros.

But behind the smiles and spray tans, the reality was grueling.

‘I didn’t have a life,’ he confessed in the interview. ‘I wanted to be able to do more. I did have to turn down things in the past, which I was upset about sometimes, but I understood I was part of Strictly Come Dancing. Now I am going to pursue things I didn’t have the time for. It’s the right move.’

That decision came in March 2020 — just as the world shut down due to the pandemic. AJ announced he was leaving to chase presenting opportunities alongside his younger brother Curtis Pritchard (a fellow Strictly alum and Love Island star). The timing was brutal: TV production halted, plans stalled, and the brothers’ joint presenting dreams were put on ice.

‘COVID hit right after I left,’ AJ later reflected in interviews. ‘It was tough — everything I’d planned just stopped.’

Fast-forward to 2026, and AJ has found new purpose. He competed on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2022, emerging as a standout for his resilience and quick decision-making. Four years on, he still applies those lessons daily.

‘The thing I still stick to today is decision-making,’ he said. ‘SAS teaches you to decide quickly, commit to it and go. I apply that to business and life all the time. Confidence in your choices is everything.’

He also weighed in on the current SAS series (airing Sundays and Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4), addressing why some celebrities drop out early.

‘I think background matters massively,’ he noted. ‘Athletes who’ve trained through pain and setbacks are used to pushing through. Some people give different reasons every time they’re challenged, and that’s frustrating to watch. There’s also a generational thing. Some younger recruits know they can walk away and still be comfortable. Older recruits often just keep fighting until they physically can’t any more.’

The interview comes at a poignant time for Strictly. The show has faced turbulence: injuries, judging controversies and the high-profile exits of co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after 2025. AJ’s words add fuel to ongoing discussions about the mental health toll on participants — pros and celebrities alike.

Fans have flooded social media with reactions.

‘AJ spilling the tea on how brutal Strictly really is — respect for speaking out!’ one wrote.

Another added: ‘No wonder so many pros leave. Months of judgment? That’s exhausting.’

Critics, however, point out that Strictly has long been praised for its supportive environment — with pros forming lifelong friendships and celebrities crediting the show for boosting confidence.

AJ’s own journey has been eventful. Post-Strictly, he’s built a career in fitness, business and TV appearances. He’s spoken openly about personal challenges — including a horrific 2018 nightclub attack that left him and Curtis injured — and how those experiences shaped his resilience.

He’s also navigated the spotlight alongside Curtis, whose own Strictly stint and Love Island fame kept the Pritchard brothers in headlines.

But it’s AJ’s reflection on Strictly that resonates most now.

‘I loved every minute,’ he’s said in past interviews. ‘But I needed more balance.’

As the new SAS series unfolds — with fresh recruits facing sleep deprivation, interrogation and physical extremes — AJ’s comparison lingers. Strictly may look glamorous, but the mental marathon, he insists, is its own kind of battlefield.

For fans, it’s a reminder: behind every perfect Viennese waltz is a dancer pushing through pressure most viewers never see.

AJ Pritchard walked away to reclaim his life — and in doing so, he’s given us an unflinching glimpse behind the ballroom curtain.

Whether he ever returns (he’s ruled out a pro comeback but left the door open for guest spots), one thing’s clear: the lessons from Strictly — and SAS — will stay with him forever.

And as he builds his next chapter, the dancefloor’s loss is the wider world’s gain.