He's the Strictly pro who's fallen at the very last hurdle the past two years, narrowly missing out on places in the final with partners Molly King and Claudia Fragapane.
Yet ever-smiley AJ Pritchard is heading into the new season of the show as coach to Paralympian Lauren Steadman with nothing but optimism - despite only having had two days to rehearse with her.
'So we've only been able to practice over the last two days and that's very nerve-wracking,' he told MailOnline on Thursday evening. 'Especially when people expect us to do so well.
Perseverance: AJ Pritchard is heading into the new season of the show as coach to Paralympian Lauren Steadman with nothing but optimism - despite only having had two days to rehearse with her
'But what we have done in two days is unbelievable. Lauren is amazing, she has this willingness to do it again and again and again until we get it right.
'I'm a perfectionist but so is she. And she only got back from Australia the other day, we have literally had such little time together.'
AJ, 23, wasted no time in getting to know his new companion, making a trip to the airport this week to personally welcome her back to the UK after she succeeded as one of three British Para-triathletes to win gold at the ITU World Championships on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Beaming: The dancer, 23, wasted no time in getting to know his new companion, 25, making a trip to London Heathrow airport this week to personally welcome her back to the UK
Triumphant: Lauren's return comes after she succeeded as one of three British Para-triathletes to win gold at the ITU World Championships on the Gold Coast in Australia
She's a winner: AJ appeared in high spirits as he looked at Lauren's medals in awe
Excited: 'She'd only been competing 24 hours before that but the adrenaline was still pumping through her blood', the former BGT star explained
'I said, "if she wins gold I'll meet her at the airport". And she said, "what if I win silver?" But it's Lauren, of course she was going to win gold,' AJ explained. 'I was there to see the gold medal and see her come back.
'She'd only been competing 24 hours before that but the adrenaline was still pumping through her blood.'
Clearly in awe of his new partner, AJ gushed: 'I'm so excited about doing Strictly with Lauren and I feel so honoured to be dancing with such an inspiration.
Amazed: Clearly in awe of his new partner, AJ gushed: 'I'm so excited about doing Strictly with Lauren and I feel so honoured to be dancing with such an inspiration
Warm embrace: The pair shared a sweet cuddle as AJ greeted the brunette with a bunch of balloons
Learning curve: Lauren was born without a complete right arm - proving to be a new experience for AJ in coaching a partner
'But at the same time it's definitely the most nervous I have been performing with someone before. It’s going to be a real trial for both of us. And I have never performed with her under pressure, like live on TV in front of millions of people. So for me it's going to be a very nerve-wracking and very hard.
'If we get it right then we'll be jumping to the ceiling!'
Lauren, 25, was born without a complete right arm - proving to be a new experience for AJ in coaching a partner. And the refreshingly honest dancer doesn't shy away from the fact that it's been a learning curve, having to adapt to the scenario - for both himself and sporting champ Lauren.
Learning curve: During the interview, he admitted to having to adapt to the scenario - for both himself and sporting champ Lauren
Enthusiastic: Unsurprisingly, AJ sees the situation as a wonderful challenge for both him and his new partner
High spirits: Following their meeting at the airport, the pair enjoyed a casual stroll around London as they took a break from rehearsals
Low-key: Lauren nailed sporty chic in clingy sportswear and a biker jacket, which she paired with slightly-distressed trainers by Adidas
'You will go to grab her hand and it's obviously not there,' he said, frankly. 'And you have to think about camera angles, not holding her in the same way as I might hold someone else. So it's been really hard to veer away from the traditional manner of dancing.'
Unsurprisingly, AJ sees the situation as a wonderful challenge for both him and his new partner.
'It’s a completely positive thing,' he said. 'Lauren works so hard and conquers everything I've been throwing at her. Yes, we might have to work harder, but it makes me want to get us as far through the competition as possible.'
Casual: Meanwhile, Stoke-on-trent native AJ wrapped up against the windy climes in a tweed jacket and a striped scarf
Determined: 'Lauren works so hard and conquers everything I've been throwing at her' AJ admitted
Last year, the ballroom pro was bogged down by constant rumours of a potential romance with partner Molly - one-fifth of former girl group The Saturdays. But is he expecting more of the same with brunette bombshell Lauren?
'People always are going to say and think what they want,' he said. 'Right now, I've only been with the girl for two days! So if they start saying we've got a romance blossoming already that'll be quite something!'
With just over 24 hours to go til he appears on Strictly's first live broadcast on Saturday night, AJ was back to rehearsals on Thursday night - yet buoyantly full of beans. Does his smile ever fade?
'I guess we'll see if my smile cracks on Saturday night, won't we?' he added, wryly.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One at 6:15PM on Saturday.
Former partners: Last year, the ballroom pro was bogged down by constant rumours of a potential romance with partner Molly - one-fifth of former girl group The Saturdays
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/22/strictly-exc-aj-pritchard-reveals-hes-only-had-two-days-to-train-lauren-steadman/
Main photo article He’s the Strictly pro who’s fallen at the very last hurdle the past two years, narrowly missing out on places in the final with partners Molly King and Claudia Fragapane.
Yet ever-smiley AJ Pritchard is heading into the new season of the show as coach to Paralympian Lauren Steadman...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Celebrity News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/09/21/20/4459694-6194715-image-a-103_1537558062762.jpg
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