Strictly stars speak out following attack on co-star AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis
The dancers vented their anger as well as sending messages of support
Strictly Come Dancing professional, AJ Pritchard, has been left with bruising to his face, arms, body and legs following an 'unprovoked attack' that also left his professional dancer brother Curtis needing an emergency operation and unable to perform on Ireland's Dancing With The Stars.
Following the attack on AJ and Curtis Pritchard a spokesman told Mirror Online, "AJ and Curtis were assaulted whilst on a night out with two friends on the 27 December 2018 in an unprovoked attack in Nantwich, Cheshire. Curtis is due to undergo an emergency operation in the next few days to correct the damages he has sustained to his knee, he is also recovering from injuries to his eye and face. AJ received bruising to his face, arms, body and legs. Statements have been given to Cheshire Police and they are currently undergoing an investigation."
Since news of the attack spread, AJ's co-stars from Strictly Come Dancing have taken to social media to condemn what happened.
Katya Jones expressed her shock, writing, 'I can’t believe what happen to @Aj11Ace and @CurtisPritchard . Sending lots of love your way. It’s Christmas people! Where is humanity going? #disappointed'.
Katya's husband and fellow dancer Neil Jones also condemned the attack. 'Disgusting what happened to @Aj11Ace and his brother @CurtisPritchard and I hope they catch everyone involved'.
Giovanni Pernice was angry at the attack and posted to his Twitter followers, 'Wtf is wrong with this people ????? Guys I’m so sorry @CurtisPritchard @Aj11Ace I’m with you all the way !! Disgusting !!!! 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡'.
Aljaz Skorjanec wrote, 'So upset by the news about @Aj11Ace and @CurtisPritchard!! Two lovely guys that mean no harm to anyone ever!! I can not believe it. To the thugs that did that.. shall we dance???? #fuming'.
Gorka Marquez sent a message of support to AJ and Curtis, 'So disgusted at the sad news about @Aj11Ace and @CurtisPritchard sending you all my love and support. EIGHT lads on two! Wtf? I hope justice is served properly. Stay strong AJ & Curtis'.
AJ had posted pictures of himself and his brother a few days before the attack enjoying Christmas. He wrote on Twitter, '🥂🎄🎁... In the Christmas Spirit @CurtisPritchard'.
GALLERY: All the Strictly Come Dancing winners
Series 1 – Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha was our first EVER Strictly winner. The television presenter graced our screens in 2004 alongside her dancing partner Brendan Cole.
She won the show dancing the Quickstep (36 points), the Samba (31 points) and the Showdance (35 points).
Natasha has since returned to presenting and you can see her on ITV news.
Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny
Actress Jill won series two with her dancing partner Darren Bennett.
She took the crown from Natasha dancing the Foxtrot (34 points) and the Jive (40 points).
The actress who has previously starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.
Series 3 – Darren Gough
In 2005 Darren became the first man to win Strictly.
He won the show dancing the Foxtrot (36 points) and the Paso Doble (36 points) alongside his partner Lilia Kopylova.
Darren and Lilia also won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.
He retired from cricket in 2008.
Series 4 - Mark Ramprakash
Mark won the BBC show back in 2006.
With his professional partner Karen Hardy they won the show dancing the Tango (34 points), the Salsa (40 points) and the Samba (36 points).
Series 5 – Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon won series five of the show in 2007.
The singer won the BBC show dancing the Waltz (39 points), the Cha Cha Cha (38 points) and the Jive (35 points) alongside her partner Matthew Cutler.
Alesha later became a judge on the show during series seven, eight and nine.
She has continued making music and you can seee her on ITV's Britain's Got Talent as a judge.
Series 6 – Tom Chambers
Back in 2008, viewers saw Tom win the glitterball trophy.
Alongside his partner Camilla Dallerup he won the show dancing the Foxtrot (35 points) and the Salsa (38 points).
Since winning the show, Tom has continued acting.
Series 7 – Chris Hollins
The news presenter won the show in 2009 during the seventh series.
Alongside his partner Ola Jordan, Chris won the show dancing the Foxtrot (46 points), the Charleston (50 points), the Lindy Hop (44 points) and the Showdance (46 points).
Chris has continued presenting and recently co-presented the TV show, Secret Britain.
Series 8 – Kara Tointon
The former EastEnders actress won series eight of Strictly in 2008.
Kara won the show dancing the Rumba (39 points), the Showdance (36 points), the Waltz (38 points) and the American Smooth (37 points) with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Kara has continued acting and has since starred in the movie Let's Be Evil.
Series 9 – Harry Judd
The McFly drummer won series ten of the BBC show in 2012 with his partner Aliona Vilani.
He danced the Quickstep (40 points), the Showdance (37 points), American Smooth (39 points) and the Tango (40 points) in the final.
Harry has since returned to the band McFly and is now a dad of two with his wife Izzy.
Series 10 – Louis Smith
The Olympic gymnast won the show in 2012.
Louis won the show with his partner Flavia Cacace and in the final they danced the Salsa (39 points), the Charleston (39 points) and the Showdance (40 points).
Series 11 – Abbey Clancy
The Britain's Next Top Model runner up won Strictly in 2013.
With her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, she won the show dancing the Waltz (40 points), the Showdance (38 points) and the Quickstep (38 points).
Since the show, Abbey returned to Britain's Next Top Model (she came second in 2006) as a head judge.
Series 12 – Caroline Flack
The former X Factor presenter, who sadly died earlier this year, won Strictly in 2014.
In the final along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, she danced the Cha Cha Cha (40 points), the Showdance (40 points) and the Charleston (40 points).
Series 13 – Jay McGuiness
Following in the footsteps of McFly's Harry Judge, The Wanted boyband member Jay McGuiness won the BBC show in 2015.
With his partner Aliona Vilani, Jay danced the Quickstep (36 points), the Showdance (35 points) and the Paso Doble (39 points).
After winning the show he starred in the musical Big and went on to win Celebrity Hunted with his former bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.
Series 14 - Ore Oduba
TV presenter Ore Oduba won the glitterball trophy in 2016 alongside his partner Joanne Clifton.
During the final the pair danced to American Smooth (39 points) and they scored a whopping 40 points for the Showdance and the Jive.
After winning the show, Ore has continued to present and he welcomed his first child into the world with his wife Portia.
Series 15 - Joe McFadden
Actor Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner Katya Jones won Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
They managed to win the judges and the public over with the Showdance (39 points), Vienesse Waltz (39 points) and Charleston (40 points).
Not only did he win Strictly but the 42-year-old actor broke a record and became the oldest ever winner of the show.
Go Joe!
Strictly 2017 winner has continued acting after getting the glitterball trophy.
Series 16 - Stacey Dooley
Journalist and broadcaster Stacey Dooley took the crown in 2018 with her partner Kevin Clifton, beating Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, YouTuber Joe Sugg and Steps' Faye Tozer.
They won the show with 39 points on their Foxtrot, 36 points on their Showdance and 39 points with their Paso Doble,
Series 17 - Kevin Fletcher
Considering Emmerdale's Kevin Fletcher was a last minute replacement for Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, who couldn't participate in the show due to a foot injury, he did incredibly well to win it with Oti Mabuse.
Fletcher and Mabuse were given 39 points from the judges for their rumba, 40 points for their showdance and 39 points for their samba.
The attack has already had a devastating impact on Curtis Pritchard's career. An RTE spokesperson told the Irish Mirror, 'Dancing with the Stars pro-dancer Curtis Pritchard was involved in an incident on 26 December 2018. As a result of the injuries sustained, he will not have recovered in time for the launch of the new series, which will air 6 January 2019.'.
AJ Pritchard first shot to fame when he reached the live semi-finals of 2013's season of Britain's Got Talent. In 2016 AJ joined Strictly Come Dancing and partnered with British Paralympic athlete Lauren Steadman in the latest series.
We wish both Curtis and AJ a speedy recovery.