Strictly's Lauren Steadman gushes over AJ Pritchard after losing to Ashley Roberts: ‘I’ve never met somebody like you’

The British Paralympic athlete failed to bag a spot in next week's grand final 
Emotional: AJ Pritchard and Lauren Steadman take their final dance
BBC/Guy Levy
Emma Powell9 December 2018

Lauren Steadman paid an emotional tribute to Strictly Come Dancing partner AJ Pritchard, saying she has never met someone like him before.

The duo were booted off of the BBC ballroom show after facing Ashley Roberts in her third consecutive dance-off, despite finishing top of the leaderboard.

Steadman and Pritchard performed their Tango to Nutbush City Limits by Tina Turner, but they failed to win over the judges who voted unanimously to save Roberts and Pasha Kovalev after their “clean, precise and dynamic” American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Dean Martin.

On leaving, Steadman said: “I think it goes without saying that for you AJ everybody can think you’re an amazing dancer and sometimes you’re a bit hard on the outside but you’re so squishy and marshmallow like on the inside.

Final dance: Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard dance the Tango in dreaded dance-off
BBC/Guy Levy

“I’ve got a lot of resilience and determination but I’ve never met somebody quite like you. As a pair I didn’t think we would be partnered and I’m so grateful I got you as a partner, words can’t explain how much I appreciate it.”

Pritchard praised the Paralympic athlete for changing people’s opinions on those living with a disability. He said: “Lauren has been fantastic. Honestly at the beginning of the series I couldn’t have expected to make the semi-final which was just beautiful but honestly I’m so proud of you as a person.

Saved: Pasha Kovalev and Ashley Roberts
BBC / Guy Levy

“You have changed so many people’s opinions and it has always been about ability not disability. You have attacked everything, you have always been stubborn, you have always been ‘I will be able to get this lift’ even though it’s not going to work but we’ll get there somehow by Friday and Saturday. But for me honestly it’s been a fantastic journey and you’ve done yourself proud.”

The semi-final saw the remaining couples perform two routines in a bid to win over viewers and the judges to bag a spot in next weekend’s grand final.

Roberts, Faye Tozer, Stacey Dooley and Joe Sugg will all compete for the coveted glitterball trophy.

Strictly Come Dancing 2018

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Strictly Come Dancing: The Final is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:30pm

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