Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard has opened up about going into debt and the pressure of people “assuming you’re a millionaire”.
While his younger brother Curtis, 28, enjoys something of a career resurgence after entering Love Island: All Stars this week, AJ, 30, opened up about his own financial situation.
AJ explained that he’s been on a “roller coaster” as a professional dancer where the next job is never guaranteed.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, AJ revealed that he and Curtis fell into debt during the Covid-19 pandemic because their dance tour came to an instant halt, but they made the difficult decision to “pay all their dancers because it was the right thing to do.”
He said: ‘We had a company where we were doing our own tour and the tour was literally cut short. We paid all our dancers because I personally felt it was the right thing to do and we ended up with a VAT bill, which came out of our own pocket.
‘They didn’t pay me or Curtis, but we paid all our dancers and it’s a difficult decision to make, but that’s what it is when you run your own company.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard has opened up about debt and the pressure of people ‘assuming you’re a millionaire’.

The interview comes as his younger brother Curtis (pictured) appears on Love Island: All Stars, enjoying a career resurgence of sorts.
“They definitely appreciated it and maybe I didn’t appreciate the debt I was left with, but hey, it’s a decision that was made.”
AJ said it’s difficult when many of his friends think he’s a ‘millionaire’ after starring on Strictly for four years, from 2016 to 2019, but explained that after the amount of hours they put into the BBC show and paid their taxes and VAT. , the figure he earns is not close to that.
The dancer said: “I think a lot of people expect you to go on Strictly or Love Island and become an instant millionaire.” Once you’ve paid your taxes and your VAT and if you’re a limited company, that’s not even close.
‘I think transparency is a positive thing nowadays, but most people don’t really want to talk about their finances.
‘And I think people are intrigued by money. People love to look at numbers and see pretty things, and many times you need to live within your own means.
After leaving shows like Strictly and Love Island, previously normal people Curtis and AJ found themselves involved in a series of big money deals and AJ says some people have no idea how to handle that kind of sum of money.
Former I’m A Celebrity star AJ revealed that he and Curtis “want to make a difference” and have set up “using our own money” a financial investment company called FINT to help “educate” people.
The brothers hope to get a “government grant” at some point to help teenagers and young adults better understand money by bringing the educational part to schools and universities.

AJ believes it is “very important” to be “transparent” when talking about money, but explained that he has been on a “roller coaster” as a professional dancer, as the next job is never guaranteed.

Speaking exclusively to Mail Online, AJ revealed that he and Curtis fell into debt during the Covid-19 pandemic because their dance tour came to an instant halt and they made the difficult decision to “pay all their dancers because it was the right thing to do”.

AJ said it’s difficult when many of his friends have “preconceived ideas” that he is a “millionaire” after starring on Strictly for four years from 2016 to 2019, but explained that wasn’t the case; Pictured with his former dance partner Saffron Barker.

He said: “I think a lot of people expect you to go on Strictly and become an instant millionaire.” Once you have paid your taxes and your VAT and if you are a limited company that is not even close (to being a millionaire)
He continued: ‘People come off these shows and get paid a good amount of money. There is definitely a rollercoaster on the money side (because it doesn’t last).
‘That’s why Curtis, our partner Wes, and I have created a financial investment company because we want to help educate people better about their personal finances and it’s good to get people talking about money. I think it’s amazing.
‘I did it strictly because it was my dream and not for the money. I love dancing and I love acting and being on stage.
He added: “Curt left the villa (for the first time in 2019), he may have spent too much money and then you have to bring it all back and think about it and really educate yourself to understand what’s going on.” and what comes out.
“I’m always very OCD. I’m very good with my money and my numbers because that’s how my brain works and Curtis is very creative.
‘But if today they don’t teach you the knowledge of investing and how to understand even what a simple paycheck is, let’s just add it to a national curriculum.
“It’s not difficult, if we invested in children when we were younger in their fitness, their health and their finances, we would definitely save the government a lot of money in the future.”
AJ was very open about how sometimes TV bookings and photo shoots can suddenly stop and stars have to learn how to “adapt” their career.
He continued: ‘It’s really difficult. I think in our industry, the entertainment industry and a lot of other industries right now because a lot of people are being laid off. Play with your mental health if you don’t have the next job.

AJ revealed that he and Curtis “want to make a difference” and have created “using our own money” a financial investment company called FINT to help “educate” people.

Every day people face the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and regularly returns to the “real world” as he notices the dramatic increase in everyday items; in the photo of I’m a celebrity in 2020

He explained: ‘Every day I come back to reality, today I walked into the petrol pump and diesel was 10p more expensive, that’s the real world. Life is going to be difficult for a lot of people and I don’t think it’s going to get easier.
‘Curtis and I have invested money, since my first paycheck on Strictly I have always invested that money in different portfolios. So if I don’t have a job in six months, I have money there that I can fall back on if I need it.
‘And at the end of the day, there are always jobs available. Sometimes it’s just having to change what you think you’re going to do and adapt a little, adapting is hard but sometimes you have to adapt.
“And it’s important that people go to these big shows that they enjoy but have a profession behind them, like Curt and I, we’re both professional dancers, we can go all over the world and teach.”
Every day people are faced with the cost of living crisis and AJ admitted he is no different and regularly returns to the “real world” as he notices the dramatic increase in everyday items.
He explained: “Every day I come back to reality. Today I walked into the petrol pump and diesel was 10p more expensive due to pitfall decisions that were made way above my pay grade, that’s the real world.”
‘I thought, “How much 10p more expensive from yesterday to today?” like it was crazy. I think people forget that the cost of living and inflation have increased.
‘Even when inflation goes down, that doesn’t mean it will go back to what it was. “Life is going to be hard for a lot of people this year and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier.”