AJ Pritchard's hosting skills divide viewers on new show

AJ Pritchard, known for his time on Strictly Come Dancing, made his debut as a presenter on GB News on October 3, 2026. His performance on The Saturday Five elicited a mixed response from viewers. While some found him to be a "nice, down-to-earth kind of guy" and a "brilliant first show," a significant number of audience members expressed strong disapproval.

Many viewers took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, with several stating they "had to switch off" shortly after the program began. Criticisms focused on his perceived "disastrous presenting skills" and lack of experience in hosting. Pritchard, a professional dancer from 2016 to 2019 on Strictly, also shared his perspective on current UK issues, particularly the rise of petty crime.

He voiced his concern that minor criminal activities, such as shoplifting, have become increasingly normalized in Britain. Pritchard highlighted how the frequency of such incidents contributes to a broader problem, suggesting that while individual instances might seem minor, the cumulative effect is significant. His appearance followed his former Strictly co-stars' participation in the show's second live broadcast of 2026.