Ex-Strictly star criticises AJ Pritchard days after Oti Mabuse warning

| Senior TV Reporter Published September 13, 2026 7:53pm Updated September 13, 2026 7:53pm AJ Pritchard has been met with yet more criticism for his ‘British dancer’ comment (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Karen Hauer has called AJ Pritchard’s comments about wanting to see more British dancers ‘low’. Pritchard, himself a former Strictly pro, faced backlash after saying he ‘would love to see more British dancers on the show’ as he appeared on American reality dance series, The Next Pro, to be in with a chance of joining the Dancing with the Stars cast. The 31-year-old dancer has been caught up in various scandals of late, including being criticised by fellow pro Rylee Arnold for his ‘intense’ training techniques. Having been branded ‘controversial’ by Glitter Ball champ, Oti Mabuse, she later added that it was going to be ‘tough for him to come back from this’, regarding the hit his public reputation. She also defended the multicultural Strictly cast, adding ‘that global mixture is what makes us beautiful and is what makes us special.’ Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Now, Hauer, a Venezuelan dancer who was the longest-serving female pro on the show but won’t be returning for the new season, has weighed in. Former Strictly star Karen Hauer has pushed back against Pritchard’s comments (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) ‘As an immigrant, I’ve worked everywhere, and I think that our world right now is about seeing different things. Maybe there’s dancers here in the UK that don’t want to join the show, that haven’t come forward,’ the 44-year-old TV star said, according to the Daily Mail. Explaining that you need a whole range of skills to make it as a Strictly pro, and encouraging people to audition, she then made a pointed remark about Pritchard’s own US exploits. ‘You don’t hear Americans say we need only Americans. We’re all immigrants, we’re all doing the best that we can, and we’re all gonna take the opportunities that we can. ‘So yeah, it was a little bit low of him to say that. Don’t say that.’ She concluded by calling he former co-star ‘brilliant’ and reflecting that he ‘he probably just didn’t really think about [his comments] too much.’ It comes after Oti Mabuse’s own warnings for The Next Pro star (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) The dancer came runner-up on The Next Pro and opened up to the cameras about how much he prioritises his career, even going so far as to postpone his wedding to compete in the reality competition. ‘I put myself under maybe too much pressure. Because I want to show how much this means to me. ‘It’s overwhelming when I actually think about the lengths I’ve gone to. To not achieve what I’ve given up everything for would just be so disappointing.’ Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 Metro has reached out to AJ Pritchard’s representatives for comment. Arrow MORE: Craig Revel Horwood reveals request from Ann Widdecombe days before her death Arrow MORE: Strictly fans convinced 2026 stars have accidentally spoiled who they’re partnered up with Arrow MORE: Two Strictly Come Dancing stars ‘suffer injuries at same time’ in rehearsals TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.