Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard was left out of pocket when a UK tour he planned with his brother, Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard, was derailed
AJ Pritchard has opened up about his financial struggles – explaining that he struggles with debts and is finding the ongoing cost of living crisis a struggle.
The 30-year-old professional dancer fears the general public perceive him as a millionaire – and he insists he is far from it. The light-footed star found nationwide fame as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing – a role he held from 2016 until 2019.
After wrapping up on the BBC show, AJ and his dancing brother Curtis, who is a Love Island star, planned an ambitious UK-wide tour. But the Covid pandemic cut the show dramatically short, and the brothers went in to debt as they made sure their team of dancers were all paid for the cancelled shows, while they made nothing themselves.
Admitting that he and his 28-year-old brother have made good money from their respective reality TV careers, he goes on to explain that once taxes, VAT and such like are considered, he is left with far less money than many might expect. He also expressed his hope that discussing his own finances could spark a nationwide discussion where people can feel less embarrassed about enduring financial hardship.
Opening up to the Daily Mail, AJ revealed: “[Curtis and I] had a company where we were running our own tour and the tour was literally cut short. We paid all of our dancers because personally I felt like that was the right thing to do and we ended up with a VAT bill, which came out of our own pocket. We didn’t get paid, myself or Curtis, but we paid all of our dancers and it’s a hard decision to be made, but that’s what it is when you are running your own company.
“They definitely did appreciate it and I maybe didn’t appreciate the debt that I was left in, but hey, it’s a decision that was made.” He went on to explain that a suggestion he is a “millionaire” is unjustified.
The dancer said: “I think a lot of people expect you to go on to Strictly or Love Island and instantly be a millionaire. Once you’ve paid your tax and your VATs and if you’re a limited company that’s not even close. I think transparency is a positive thing in this day and age, but most people don’t really want to talk about their finances.”
AJ also explained that he feels the pinch when it comes to shopping for essentials. He said: “Every single day I’m brought back to reality, I pulled up on the petrol pump today and the diesel was 10P more expensive due to well decisions that have been made much higher up than my paycheck, that’s the real world.
“I was like, ‘What 10p more expensive from yesterday to today’, like that’s crazy. I think people forget, the cost of living and inflation’s gone up… Life is going to be hard for a lot of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.”
Curtis is currently taking part in Love Island: All Stars – which has propelled him back into the public consciousness. They fellow dancer has been cheered on by viewers who have watched as he has attempted to find romance in the villa again.
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