Oti Mabuse has criticised AJ Pritchard's 'controversial' behaviour during his time on Strictly Come Dancing, but admitted his new role on the American version might be better suited to him.
The professional dancer, who is the brother of Love Island star Curtis Pritchard, was part of the Strictly family between 2016 and 2019. According to Oti, the 31-year-old 'rubbed people up the wrong way' with his personality.
Oti's response to fan question
Oti, 35, who has won the Glitter Ball twice, said some fellow professionals felt AJ's personality was an issue. Replying to a fan online who asked about AJ joining Dancing With The Stars, she said: 'I like this one actually cause it's asking about AJ. That guy is so controversial. It's so funny, I don't even know how to word this. And he might have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with his personality, right?'
'Like, him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show because Strictly is Britain…'
AJ's previous comments
AJ had previously told The Sun: 'I think, upsettingly, I would love to see more British dancers on the show. We're in the UK, I'm proud to be British, and there are so many fantastic boys and girls out there who would love the opportunity.'
But Oti was having none of it, naming Giovanni Pernice and Aljaž Škorjanec as some of the strongest characters to have appeared on the show. She continued to list non-British talent who have had huge value for the show.
'Even now, Vito, Nikita, Alexis, Katya,' she said. 'Even back in the day, we're going Vincent Simone, we're going Ola Jordan, we're going Kristina Rihanoff, we're going Natalie Lowe. Those are the legends. And they're not British.'
'Strictly is different'
She admitted AJ's comments 'would have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way,' before saying 'Strictly is different'. 'We are global. Our professionals are global because that global mixture is what makes us beautiful and is what makes us special.' She said of AJ's American adventure: 'Maybe his personality might be a little bit more palatable there.'
The Stoke-on-Trent-born dancer is hoping to secure a spot on Dancing With The Stars and is currently competing to win The Next Pro competition to secure his place on the show. Current Dancing With The Stars winner Robert Irwin is hosting The Next Pro, which sees a string of dancers put through their paces. Strictly's Shirley Ballas sits as head judge on the show, alongside her son Mark Ballas and professional dancer Derek Hough.
But Derek fumed at the start of the contest: 'I think you lacked oomph and a little bit of energy, especially with what the music was giving us. So moving forward, think about that, you can't dance below the music.' Mark added: 'AJ technique was good, you've done this job before in Strictly, so there's a little more pressure on you. There's killers on our show. If you are dancing next to someone like Val Chmerkovskiy [who is one of the existing US pros], I want to see you fight for it.'
