Strictly star AJ Pritchard and dancer brother Curtis injured in ‘unprovoked’ attack
Written by News on 29/12/2018
Strictly star AJ Pritchard and his dancer brother Curtis have been injured in an “unprovoked” attack while on a night out.
The siblings were with two friends when they were assaulted in Nantwich, Cheshire, over the festive period.
They were attacked by a group of thugs in a nightclub on Thursday, according to reports.
AJ, who is one of the professional dancers on hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing, suffered bruising to his face, arms, body and legs in the “unprovoked” assault, a family spokesperson told Sky News.
Curtis, a pro-dancer on the Irish version of the show Dancing With The Stars, is due to have an emergency operation in the coming days after sustaining knee damage.
He also had injuries to his eye and face.
Curtis, 22, has been forced to miss Dancing With The Stars as he will not recover from his injuries in time for the new series which starts in about a week.
A tweet from the show said: “Dancing With The Stars pro-dancer Curtis Pritchard was involved in an incident on 26 December 2018.
“As a result of the injuries sustained, he will not have recovered in time for the launch of the new series, which will air 6 January 2019.
“Dancing With The Stars wish Curtis a speedy recovery.
“A replacement for Curtis on the show is currently being arranged by ShinAwiL and we look forward to welcoming Curtis back when he recovers.”
AJ’s co-stars sent messages of support to the pair, with Giovanni Pernice writing: “Wtf is wrong with this people ????? Guys I’m so sorry @CurtisPritchard @Aj11Ace I’m with you all the way !! Disgusting !!!!”
Katya Jones added: “I can’t believe what happen to @Aj11Ace and @CurtisPritchard . Sending lots of love your way. It’s Christmas people! Where is humanity going? #disappointed.”
A spokesperson for the Pritchard family said statements have been given to officers who are carrying out an investigation.
In a statement to Sky News, Cheshire Police said: “Shortly after 2am on Thursday 27 December officers were called to reports of an incident at a nightclub on Welsh Row, Nantwich.
“Officers attended the scene and found that four men, three aged 22 and one aged 24, had been assaulted.
“The victims sustained a number of injuries as a result of the incident and were taken to Leighton Hospital for treatment. All of the men have since been discharged.
“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers have arrested a 20-year-old man from Crewe on suspicion of assault. He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.”
In the latest series of Strictly, 24-year-old AJ was partnered with Paralympic triathlete Lauren Steadman who was the 11th celebrity to leave the show after facing Ashley Roberts in the dance-off.
(c) Sky News 2018: Strictly star AJ Pritchard and dancer brother Curtis injured in ‘unprovoked’ attack
