Former professional dancer AJ Pritchard has transitioned to a hosting role on GB News' new program, The Saturday Five. However, his debut has reportedly triggered significant backlash from both viewers and network staff.
The 81,600-viewer gap between Strictly and GB News
AJ Pritchard's move to the GB News platform represents a massive shift in audience scale compared to his previous tenure at the BBC. While the 31-year-old Stoke-on-Trent native was a staple on Strictly Come Dancing, the broadcaster he now serves has a much more modest reach. According to the report, GB News saw an average monthly viewership of just 81,600 in July.
The disparity in audience size has become a focal point for critics of the new show . As the source notes, a video featuring Pritchard's performance on The Saturday Five attracted 1.7 million views online, but the engagement was largely driven by mockery rather than praise. Viewers have described his presenting style as "wooden" and "robotic," suggesting that the transition from choreographed dance to spontaneous debate has been difficult.
Ben Briscoe and the internal fallout at GB News
Internal tensions are reportedly rising within the GB News offices following the launch of the new Saturday night show. Ben Briscoe, the network's head of programmes, is said to be facing questions from angry superiors regarding the decision to hire Pritchard. the report claims that colleagues within the network are expressing fury over the appointment, with some viewing his initial performances as a liability to the channel's reputation.
This internal friction highlights the difficulty of integrating high-profile reality stars into a news-adjacent format. While the broadcaster has officially confirmed that Pritchard's role is a permanent one , the immediate reaction from the staff suggests a lack of confidence in the creative direction of The Saturday Five.
The abandoned 'Ant and Dec' dream of the Pritchard brothers
AJ Pritchard's current career trajectory stands in stark contrast to the ambitious goals he set when leaving the BBC in 2020. At the time of his departure, the dancer intended to build a massive television double act alongside his younger brother, Curtis Pritchard. The pair had high aspirations of becoming the next Ant and Dec, leveraging their combined platforms from Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island.
The brothers attempted to solidify this brand through social media content and acting roles, including a stint on Hollyoaks. However, these efforts failed to gain the necessary momenutm. While Curtis Pritchard maintained a level of relevance through appearances on Love Island Games and All Stars, AJ's career has been characterized by a series of smaller, more fragmented projects, including appearances on I'm A Celebrity and the US version of Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro.
Will the 'permanent' role survive the 1.7 million-view mockery?
Despite the official confirmation of his permanent status, several questions remain regarding the longevity of AJ Pritchard's tenure at GB News. it remains unclear how the network intends to address the "laughing stock" label being applied by both online critics and internal colleagues. Furthermore, the report does not specify whether Ben Briscoe or the network leadership will implement any changes to the format of The Saturday Five to mitigate the negative reception of its lead presenter.
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