AJ Pritchard in tears on SAS: Who Dares Wins as he recalls ex Abbie Quinnen’s fireball accident

The 27-year-old spoke about his ex’s life-changing injuries on Sunday’s episode of the Channel 4 series

Lisa McLoughlin 10 October 2022

Former Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard was left in tears on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, as he recalled his ex-girlfriend Abbie Quinnen’s horrific fireball accident.

In scenes that were filmed before the couple split, the 27-year-old was quizzed by former soldiers Billy Billingham and Jason Fox on any mistakes he’d made in life on Sunday’s episode.

The questioning prompted him to speak out about the botched YouTube stunt which left Quinnen in intensive care and suffering third-degree burns in January 2021.

Looking at the ground, an emotional Pritchard said: “I made a big mistake. I was trying to turn a wine bottle into a vase to put flowers in for my girlfriend. It got her hair extensions, her gym top — she was in a fireball.

“I put her in a situation where she had to be hospitalised in intensive care for five or six days.

“You question a lot of things… why? what? I will never get rid of this picture of her lying on the ground and burning.”

AJ Pritchard broke down in tears on Celebrity SAS recalling ex Abbie Quinnen’s horrific fireball accident

Channel 4

Following the horrific accident, the 25-year-old dancer needed three skin grafts and still undergoes regular treatment, including laser and microneedling, to aid her healing.

She recently credited Pritchard for giving her strength as she recovered from her life-changing injuries.

Quinnen told MailOnline: “I can’t thank those at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital enough. AJ has been to every single appointment with me, he’s always there holding my hand.. he’s the best, honestly.

“I haven’t seen him for a while, though I should be seeing him tonight. He’s been away filming something exciting, it’s top secret so I can’t tell you.”

Pritchard’s emotional appearance comes days after it emerged that he had broken up with Quinnen after she caught him texting another woman.

Pritchard and Quinnen split late last month after she caught him cheating

Over the weekend, the dancer alleged that they had been talking about marriage just days before Pritchard announced “out of the blue” that he didn't love her and ended their four-year relationship, leaving her “devastated”.

Quinnen told the Sun: “I’m completely devastated and my world has fallen apart.

“AJ isn’t the person I thought he was. After everything I went through with him I thought we would be together for ever. He has been the biggest disappointment to me.”

The Evening Standard has contacted AJ Pritchard’s rep for comment.