Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals Oti Mabuse and AJ Pritchard reportedly experienced significant backstage tension during their time on the popular BBC show, a dynamic that has recently resurfaced following public comments by Mabuse. While viewers witnessed the glitz and glamour of the ballroom, insiders suggest a personality clash simmered between Mabuse and Pritchard, with this friction becoming an open secret among the show’s crew.
Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics
Sources close to the production indicated that Mabuse and Pritchard “didn’t really click” and possessed markedly different personalities, leading to a lack of connection off-camera. This underlying tension, however, was carefully managed to remain out of the public eye, allowing both dancers to continue their performances for millions of viewers each week without incident. The professional relationship was reportedly cordial on screen, masking the reported difficulties behind the scenes.
The narrative of their strained relationship has gained new traction after Mabuse addressed questions about Pritchard during a social media Q&A session. Her remarks, made on TikTok, suggested that Pritchard had a tendency to “rub a lot of people the wrong way” and had potentially made comments about Strictly Come Dancing that were not well-received by those involved with the programme. These statements have reportedly caused a stir among former colleagues, bringing a long-standing backstage dynamic into public discourse for the first time.
The Nationality Debate
Mabuse’s comments appeared to be a direct response to remarks Pritchard made in an interview the previous year. At the time, Pritchard expressed a desire to see more British dancers featured on Strictly Come Dancing, arguing for greater national representation on the show. He stated, “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. So regionally, it would support the country.”
In her social media response, Mabuse countered this perspective by highlighting the international nature of the show’s success. She pointed out that many of the most popular professional dancers on Strictly have not been British, listing names such as Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Janette Manrara, Vito Coppola, Nikita Kuzmin, and Katya Jones, among others. She emphasized that the show’s appeal and success are significantly boosted by attracting world-class talent from across the globe, rather than limiting opportunities based on nationality.
“The most popular pros on Strictly have not been British,” Mabuse explained. “I’m talking Aljaz, I’m talking Giovanni, I’m talking Janette. Even now, Vito, Nikita, Alexis, Katya. 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.” She further elaborated, “So you can imagine that for a lot of people, that would have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. And also, Strictly is different. Out of all the brands, all the brands. No, we are global.”
Mabuse suggested that Pritchard’s comments, made after his departure from the show, could have been perceived negatively by many within the Strictly community. She added, “So he’s gone off and left the biggest brand, and just been really horrible about it. So that might rub a lot of people the wrong way.”
Career Paths and Future Ambitions
Despite her criticisms, Mabuse expressed support for Pritchard’s aspirations, particularly his interest in joining the American version of the dance competition, Dancing With The Stars. She suggested that a move to the U.S. might be a beneficial next step for him, implying that his personality might be better received there. “Do I think he should now try to go for the American one? Yeah, maybe that one might work out better for him. Maybe his personality might be a little bit more palatable there,” she commented.
Mabuse concluded her remarks with a message of encouragement, writing alongside the video clip, “Let’s allow people’s dream to manifest and not block blessings! Wish AJ the best of luck.” This sentiment suggests a desire to move past past conflicts and support professional growth, even after acknowledging past difficulties.
A Look Back at Their Strictly Journeys
Oti Mabuse joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, having previously gained recognition on the German version of the show. She quickly became one of the programme’s most prominent stars, achieving two Glitterball Trophy wins and establishing herself as a household name before departing in 2021. Her post-Strictly career has seen her become a busy television personality, taking on judging roles on shows like The Greatest Dancer, The Masked Dancer, and Dancing on Ice, as well as fronting BBC projects and joining the judging panel for Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars.
AJ Pritchard joined the Strictly professional lineup in 2016. Already known in the competitive dance circuit, partly through his association with his brother Curtis, he rapidly became one of the show’s recognizable young professionals. He left the series in 2019 to explore other television opportunities. Since his departure, Pritchard has diversified his media presence, participating in reality shows such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, appearing in the soap opera Hollyoaks, and undertaking various presenting roles, while also continuing his professional dance career.
Pritchard’s current ambition to join the professional cast of the American Dancing With The Stars brings renewed attention to his past professional relationships within the Strictly franchise. Mabuse’s candid comments have seemingly brought a long-standing, unspoken dynamic between the two dancers into the public sphere, marking a potential shift from years of backstage tension to open discussion.
Public Reaction and Lingering Tensions
Following the circulation of Mabuse’s video, social media users shared their reactions. Comments ranged from praise for Mabuse, with one user noting, “You forgot one legend… you,” to observations about Pritchard’s perceived attitude. Another user remarked, “Not sure if AJ has noticed but not all pros in DWTS are American either. Lots of Russian pros whom I think are incredible. His attitude is poor.”
While Mabuse concluded her remarks by wishing Pritchard well in his pursuit of a spot on the American show, insiders suggest her comments have undeniably placed a spotlight back on a relationship that was reportedly strained for years. This situation, described by those familiar with the show’s inner workings as one of its longest-running unspoken dynamics, appears to have finally moved from behind the ballroom doors into public conversation.
