Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer AJ Pritchard has opened up about his sexuality.
The pro performer has said he’s single – and doesn’t want to define what he’s looking for in a partner.
AJ, who was previously linked to former celebrity partner Mollie King, explained this week: “You never know how times will change in where you are in your life. But it is always about being happy and being true to yourself.
“Like always following your heart — obviously listen to your brain — but really just at that time in your life.
“It is mad that everything always has to have a label, whether it be the clothes by designers or whether you are in a relationship.”
In an interview with Gay Times, AJ added: “Everybody always wants to have that label when it is not always necessary.”
“As long as you’re happy, that is the main thing,” he concluded.
AJ went on to tell the magazine he was in favour of adding Strictly adding same-sex couples to the show.
The performer said: “For me, whether it be male dancers or female dancers — whatever it is — the empowerment and movement to music is so much more powerful, especially when you see two guys dancing together, that strength that can be created.
“That can’t always be created when it is a male and female dance through the traditional styles of a waltz. It can be very calming.”
Meanwhile, AJ’s most recent celebrity partner Lauren Steadman has thanked the pro dancer for helping her gain self-confidence during their time on the show.
“I have been self-conscious my whole life with my arm,” said Lauren. “As a child I was always the one that stood out. But, credit to AJ for this, he has made me face a fear and be really, really proud of myself and my body.
“In all photos he’ll make me stand so that my arm is on show, and be proud of myself.
“We’ll do moves and he’ll be like, ‘No, you can be sexy’, and he’s helped me fall in love with myself for the first time. I think people at home have thought, ‘She’s always been confident’. It’s been a learning curve.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
