Aj

AJ Pritchard and Caroline Flack arrive separately to BRITs after THAT NTAs 'kiss'

AJ Pritchard, 24, slipped into a very suave suit for the BRITs at London’s O2 Arena yesterday evening.

The Strictly Come Dancing professional beamed away to photographers as he posed on the red carpet wearing a dapper tux.

AJ uploaded a picture of himself in the smart three-piece to his 360,000 Instagram followers before the ceremony began.

He captioned the snap: “Head to toe in @dsquared2. Feeling so much love for Dan & Dean...

“It is an Honour to be dressed by you.. Never taking this TUX off.”

He added: “1st time at @brits #Excited is an understatement.”

Caroline Flack, 39, also attended the music ceremony and put on an eye-popping display in a black minidress.

The Love Island host displayed her toned physique in the strapless frock which featured a daring plunging neckline.

The beauty showed off some cleavage in the figure-hugging number which also put her lean pins on display.

She elongated her legs in a pair of strappy high-heels and left accessorises to the minimum.

Caroline and AJ unfortunately appeared to miss each other on the red carpet as the dancer uploaded a video of himself alone before heading inside the venue.

At the bash, Caroline revealed she had other male company and was sitting next to actor Luke Evans at the table.

The presenter uploaded a video of herself inside the venue and joked Luke was moving his way over to her.

She said: “I get to sit next to this gorgeous guy, he’s shifting his way over here.”

Luke, who is in a relationship with Victor Turpin, laughed and added: “Yeah, I’m very good at that.”

It comes after reports the pair got cosy with one another at the National Television Awards 2019 last month.

Caroline and AJ were reportedly the “talk of the party” as they spent time together at an after party following the awards ceremony.

“They were openly snogging each other and didn’t seem to care who was looking,” a source told The Sun.

"AJ was blatantly touching her bum throughout the night and Caroline cuddled up to him as they walked through the bar.”

The source added: ”They had plenty of chemistry and were acting like a proper couple.”

In pictures published by The Mirror, AJ and Caroline spent time “whispering and chatting” to each other whilst at the bar.

Express.co.uk contacted AJ and Caroline’s representatives for comment at the time.

AJ Pritchard EXCLUSIVE: Star says dancing with Gorka Marquez allowed him to 'express himself'

AJ Pritchard has reflected on his performance on last year's Strictly Come Dancing with fellow pro dancer Gorka Marquez.

The men performed the Paso Tango on the series, in what was the show's first sex-sex routine, with AJ, 24, telling March's issue of Gay Times that 'the reaction was definitely one hundred percent positive' and that 'it shows how open minded people are'.

He told the publication: 'It was great – why wouldn’t it be great? Why would people even think that it wouldn’t be good in the first place? There was not even one negative thought from the pros, from the audience, from everybody that was in production.

First time lucky: AJ Pritchard has reflected on his performance on last year's Strictly Come Dancing with fellow pro dancer Gorka Marquez

'And I think that is what is really so good about a platform that is so powerful, that is Strictly, to have 12 million viewers every Saturday – which is unbelievable and it seems to be growing and growing from year to year – and to be using the platform in such a positive way.'

He went on: 'I don’t think we could have anticipated the reaction that it got on the show because it was overwhelming.

'I think for the professionals as well, speaking on our terms it was one of the most powerful numbers. The music was so strong, and the fact that you have the males dancing together and the females dancing together, it was really one of those dances where you could express yourself even more.'

The topic of a same-sex coupling on Strictly - in terms of a celebrity/pro pairing - is one that is brought up annually.

Boys allowed: The men performed the Paso Tango on the series, in what was the show's first sex-sex routine

Making waves: AJ said that 'the reaction was definitely one hundred percent positive' and that 'it shows how open minded people are'

Gay celebrities take part on the show year after year - such as Dr Ranj from 2018 and the likes of Scott Mills, Susan Calman and Judge Rinder in previous years; yet they are always partnered with members of the opposite sex.

AJ, however, thinks the time will soon come when a same-sex pairing will happen.

'I know that everyone always asks when do you think it will happen, the same-sex couple on Strictly? And to be honest I don’t know when it will happen.

'I think when it does happen, it will happen for the right reason and I think it will be represented great because Strictly always do that through the BBC.

'I think that it will be embraced, that is for sure.' 

Coming soon: AJ, however, thinks the time will soon come when a same-sex pairing will happen

Mix and match: AJ - who is about to embark on his own solo tour, Get On The Floor - has chosen to include same-sex couplings in some of the routines

AJ - who is about to embark on his own solo tour, Get On The Floor - has chosen to include same-sex couplings in some of the routines.

Out soon: The next Gay Times edition will be on newsstands from March 1

Of this, he said: 'I always have to stay ahead of the times. I think for me, whether it be male dancers or female dancers, whatever it is, the empowerment, and movement to music is so much more powerful – especially when you see two guys dancing together, that strength that can be created.

'That can’t always be created when it is a male and female dance through the traditional styles of a waltz – it can be very calming.

'Whereas when you want to portray a stronger story having two guys together hitting it to the music, for me, it is one of the strongest things that you can see.'

He iterated the same point to MailOnline in January, telling us: 'With dance you definitely want to see a classic waltz, for example, with a male and female. It's traditional. But we will be doing a guys' section. Because it's not about gender. It's about movement to music.

'And it's very powerful to see two guys creating a strong impact doing a Stomp The Yard-type routine. It's about creating art on a floor. Sometimes it's more powerful to see that than watching a guy and a girl dance.' 

AJ told MailOnline in January: 'We will be doing a guys' section. Because it's not about gender. It's about movement to music'

While the precise routine is still to be seen, AJ insists there are 'no limits' to his own show - which runs from March 3 - March 12 across the country.

'I'll be dancing specifically with a ballroom Latin partner but there'll be everything from street dance, tap, commercial, contemporary... lots of stuff you might not see on Strictly,' he said.

'I want it to be challenging to me, too. I am not an expert in all types of dance.'  

Strictly’s AJ Pritchard says he is open to dating both women and men

STRICTLY pro dancer AJ Pritchard has revealed he does not want to label his  sexuality – because he is not sure  what the future might hold.

The star, who smooched with Caroline Flack at the National Television Awards last month and  was also linked to his 2017 dance partner Mollie King, insists it is only important  the person makes him “happy in that time”.

Gay Times - 'Generation Gay'

Strictly pro dancer AJ Pritchard revealed he doesn't want to label his  sexuality – because he is not sure what the future might hold

AJ said: “You never know how times will change in where you are in your life. But it is always about being happy and being true to yourself.

“Like always following your heart — obviously listen to your brain — but really just at that time in your life.

“It is mad that everything always has to have a label, whether it be the clothes by designers or whether you are in a relationship.

“Everybody always wants to have that label when it is not always necessary.

Refer to Picture Desk

AJ smooched with Caroline Flack at the National Television Awards last month

Getty Images - Getty

AJ has also been linked to Mollie King

“At that time of your life, whatever you are, or wherever you are, things always change. You can’t ever say never, because you don’t know what is around the corner.

“As long as you’re happy, that is the main thing.

“It’s something people forget way too often these days — getting so stressed thinking about what other people’s  opinions are or what they need to do tomorrow.”

The comments come after AJ was attacked by a gang of thugs during a night out with his younger brother Curtis in Cheshire  last December.

Strictly dancer AJ Pritchard, left, and his brother Curtis were battered by a gang of thugs in a nightclub

Gay Times - 'Generation Gay'

AJ was speaking in the new Gay Times issue

AJ reached the  semi-finals in 2018’s Strictly series  with his dance partner, Paralympian Lauren Steadman. He has now made the decision to have same-sex dancing couples on his upcoming debut tour.

Speaking in a new Gay Times issue, the cover star said: “For me, whether it be male dancers or female dancers — whatever it is — the empowerment and movement to music is so much more powerful, especially when you see two guys dancing together, that strength that can be created.

“That can’t always be created when it is a male and female dance through the traditional styles of a waltz. It can be very calming.”

Given the state of the world right now, helping everyone calm down a bit more sounds fine to me.

AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis battered by eight yobs who punched and kicked the Strictly star in sickening night club attackREAD MORE FROM ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN Stephen: This is like family

ACTORS often make friends on set but the bond between This Is England stars Stephen Graham and Thomas Turgoose went way deeper.

The pair, who played Combo and Shaun in the cult movie and TV series, were so close that Stephen and his wife Hannah looked into adopting the then 13-year-old Thomas when his mum Sharon died in 2005.

PA:Press Association

This Is England star Stephen Graham looked into adopting co-star Thomas Turgoose after his mum died

He also says Vicky McClure, another This Is England co-star who he is about to reunite with on Line Of Duty, was like a sister.

Stephen said: “There’s definitely people that you meet on certain jobs and that was one of them – where we were a family. Tommo and Vicky, I consider a brother and sister. Tommo was going through a lot. He lost his mum and  me and Hannah – Tommo calls us Nana and Grandad ’cause we’re old – looked  into adopting him.”

The actor made the revelation at a brilliant no-holds barred  Royal Television Society talk with his Save Me co-star Alice Feetham on Monday night.

Handout

Thomas Turgoose was going through a tough period and refers to Stephen and wife Hannah as Nana and Grandad

The Scouser also touched on the racial abuse he received as a youngster.

He said: “My grandad was from Jamaica and my grandma Swedish. I was called that horrible word, which I’m not going to say.”

Stephen is one of our finest actors and it was amazing to hear him talk so candidly.

Thomas Turgoose gets Alan Carr tattooed on his bumMust watch

WHAT? The Brit Awards 2019, ITV, 8pm.

WHY? Jack Whitehall hosts  from London’s O2, while Hugh Jackman opens  with a song from The Greatest Showman and Little Mix are also among the performers.

Lineker in Monty match-up

MATCH Of The Day host Gary Lineker loves to sneak Monty Python references into the BBC football show.

Paul Armstrong, its former editor, said: “For example, Kevin Keegan’s less successful second spell at Newcastle was described as, ‘He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy’.”

Bradley Ormesher - The Times

Look out for Monty Python fan Gary Lineker slipping in references to classic gags on MOTD

Exclusive

DUA DIVA Dua Lipa branded a DIVA after locking herself in Brits dressing room to snub fans

Exclusive

CANNED Holly Willoughby ends £450k Diet Coke deal and looks forward to more family time

Exclusive

IT'S ALLI OVER Spurs ace Dele Alli dumps girlfriend and moves on with Love Island's Megan

PUT DOWNTON Hugh Bonneville reveals he's to blame for Downton Abbey’s dog being killed off

Exclusive

ROOM FOR ROMANCE Brooklyn Beckham gets own 'home' in £31m family mansion for extra privacy

Exclusive

OWE BLA DI LOADS Paul McCartney’s wife Nancy Shevell's family firm has declared bankruptcy

Former Python member Michael Palin, who went on to make comedy series Ripping Yarns, once visited the MOTD studio.

Paul recalled: “He duly slipped in, as his score prediction for West Brom v Arsenal, ‘Eight-bloody-one’, the line his Ripping Yarns character had howled just before he threw the mantelpiece clock through his front room window.”

As a Reading fan, I bet Gary would tell me to Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Bizbit

MARTIN CLUNES upset a passer-by who thought the actor had killed a cat while filming new BBC1 sitcom Warren. His character finds a dead feline in the road. Co-star Lisa Millett revealed: “This  lad said, ‘What have you done that for mate?’”

SOAP BOX

THE claws are out on CORONATION STREET as Gina desperately tries to get back into Sally’s good books.

Gina plans a party for her sister in the hope it will win forgiveness for making a pass at her husband Tim.

But when Sean suggests a night out for the factory girls, Sally agrees to go – as long as Gina stays away.

On the other side of the cobbles, events prompt Amy to make up her mind about   becoming a teenage mum.

Meanwhile with Charity’s continued meddling on EMMERDALE, it seems like a potential relationship between Ryan and Dawn is over before it has even begun.

And Jai fears Manpreet is a gold-digger who is using Rishi to get out of debt.

Strictly's AJ Pritchard reveals brutal nightclub attack left him scared to go out drinking as he says he prefers a cup of tea at home.