AJ Pritchard Instagram: Strictly Come Dancing pro mocked by co-star over looks

The 24-year-old British-born dancer is a fan favourite on Strictly Come Dancing and is famous for his baby-faced looks as the youngest member of the professional line-up. With celebrities taking to social media to take part in the #10yearchallenge, in which they share pictures from now and 10 years ago to show how much they’ve changed, the Strictly pros got in on the action. Neil Jones, 36, took things a step further when he uploaded one for his pal AJ Pritchard in view of his 158,000 Instagram followers, showing the dancer as a tiny tot, next to a shot from his 2019 calendar. “I’m really impressed by @aj11ace #10yearchallenge. He’s really changed and grown up but the smile never changed from five to 15,” he teased.

AJ appeared to find the reference to his youthful looks hilarious, commenting: “Brilliant. Love this.”

“I can’t wait to see what you will look like when you hit your 20s,” Neil replied mischievously.

AJ later shared the side-by-side snaps with his 349,000 Instagram followers, saying: “#10yearchallenge or was it 20 years? Thanks @mr_Njonesofficial for this collage.”

Meanwhile, Neil also uploaded his own throwbacks, showing his transformation from ages five to 36.

“I know it should be the 10 year challenge but I decided to do around five, 15, 25 and now,” he told his fans. “I feel like I’ve changed a lot. What do you think?”

AJ is set to embark on the Strictly live tour later this week when it kicks off in Birmingham.

He will be joined by his 2018 celebrity partner Lauren Steadman, 25, with whom he reached the semi-final last month.

They were recently reunited when rehearsals began ahead of the 20-date tour and appeared delighted to be back together again.

The Paralympian, 25, was seen coming into the frame in a clip uploaded to his Instagram story.

Wearing a beige top and black leggings for training, she playfully stuck out her tongue at AJ.

“Now that is LOVE,” he captioned the upload, along with a string of laughing emojis.

Lauren and AJ grew close during their time on Strictly, with the pro previously telling The Mirror: “I am very protective of Lauren because we have worked so close together.

“There are different things that she will talk about in training that she would never talk about on camera.”

The duo made it all the way to the semi-final before being eliminated after going head-to-head with Ashley Roberts, 37, and Pasha Kovalev, 38, in the dance off.

Now, they are due to bring the glitz and glamour of Strictly to fans across the UK, alongside stars including winner Stacey Dooley, 31, finalists Joe Sugg, 27, Ashley, and Faye Tozer, 43, and Dr Ranj Singh, 39, and Graeme Swann, 39.

The Strictly Come Dancing live tour 2019 starts Friday in Birmingham and runs until February 10.

source: express.co.uk