AJ Pritchard, 24, appeared on This Morning alongside his mum Debi and dad Adrian to open up about 23-year-old Curtis Pritchard’s stint on Love Island 2019. The family were shown a highlights reel of the Islander’s emotional break-up with air hostess Amy Hart, 27, which led to her leaving the villa. After watching the clips, Debi burst into tears on the ITV programme, prompting Phillip Schofield, 57, to hand her a tissue. Reflecting on the dramatic scenes, AJ and Curtis’ mum said the moment was “so emotional” for her to watch.
She added: “To feel Curtis’ pain and not even to realise the pain that Amy’s going through and Amy’s parents, it’s so traumatic.”
While placing her hand on her chest, Debi’s voice cracked as she explained: “My heart’s going like this.”
Later in the interview, the Pritchards made a shock revelation about why Curtis signed up for Love Island in the first place.
Debi explained the dancer was initially asked to take part in a different dating show.
She told Holly Willoughby, 38, and Phillip: “Curtis rang me one day and said, ‘A researcher has rang me and they’ve asked me to do this dating programme’.”
The matriarch then decided to call AJ and ask his advice on the matter, recalling how he suggested: “‘No, if he’s going to do a dating programme, he has to go big. Do Love Island.’”
Debi then seemed to imply the Strictly Come Dancing professional was the main influence behind Curtis’ decision to join the villa.
She insisted in reference to the star’s relationship drama with Amy: “So that’s how it started. So it’s his fault, the turmoil is his fault.”
AJ also took the opportunity to address Curtis’ split with his former half-girlfriend, as he spoke out about his brother’s “brutally honest” demeanour.
He said: “I think Curtis is Curtis. He is so honest, sometimes a little bit too brutally honest, the way he let her down.
“The thing is he was on holiday, getting sunburnt, eating too much and everything’s done for him.
“So, it’s that kind of holiday romance.”
AJ previously believed his younger brother’s head “wouldn’t be turned” due to his romance with the blonde beauty.
During an interview with OK! Magazine before Curtis’ break-up aired on the show, he explained: “They look so happy and at ease with each other which is the most important thing.
“He’s found someone that he can be himself around, and I don’t think his head could be turned.
“You have to be friends before you enter a relationship, or a ‘half relationship’.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.
Love Island continues tonight on ITV2 at 9pm.