A. J. Pritchard

“You can't be in the zone in front of 12 million people, you've got to be chill.”

“I'm good at keeping my physical health. My brain is not allowed to have injuries, neither is my body.”

“My brother and I had a wonderful mentor when we were younger who helped fund our dancing career so we could travel the world.”

“I loved being a part of 'Celebrity MasterChef.' The process was scary and I was so out of my comfort zone but I've learnt so much. Doing something I'd never done before put me in the position of the celebs on 'Strictly' and because of that experience, I think i'll be a better teacher because of it.”

“Some days I would work 18-hour days because I was dancing and choreographing.”

“When it comes down to dance, dance is about movement to music.”

“I like to be very much in control.”

“I'm very proud of what I do and anything I do I represent, I feel like myself and my brand and if somebody's trying to be negative, I don't really read comments online.”

“Things always change and you can't ever say never, because you don't know what is around the corner.”

“Food-wise I tend to eat pretty much what I want when I am remaining active so there are no secrets on that front, stay active and eat well and you will see results.”

“I'm super-hygienic.”

“My dad told me, 'Whatever you do, don't dance. Do something else. Do anything else.' He knew how much hard work you have to put in, how hard it is to make a living, and he didn't want me to do it.”

“The good thing about Curtis is he's very confident and secure in himself, so he doesn't waste his energy on any negative comments.”

“I want to show people what I'm about - not just, 'Here's my celebrity partner this year that I'm going to showcase.'”

“I like my extreme sports.”

“When I am doing cardio I lose my muscle really fast because it just kills it. That's why I have to do weights in the gym: to ensure I don't lose my shape and can lift my dance partners above my head.”

“I exercise every day, whether it's weight sessions in the gym, runs wearing a 20kg weighted vest, or going for long walks.”

“I think Phillip Schofield would be great on 'Strictly.' He got up on 'This Morning' once with Holly and did a bit of a boogie and he can dance, and he is entertaining, and he is such a nice guy.”

“Peter Pan has been one of my dream roles since I was a child.”

“I love being around gay people, going to gay clubs.”