There must be something in the water over at Strictly towers – it seems like not a week goes by where one has to pull out for one reason or another.
Judge Bruno Tonioli was forced to miss last weekend’s action due to exhaustion, and there are rumours that Simon Rimmer may not be able to perform this week because of a leg injury.
Not that Simon would probably mind, as he only just scraped through to this week, after surviving Sunday’s dance-off with Brian Conley.
But now it also looks like AJ Pritchard may miss out this weekend, as he’s been stricken by a nasty bug.
The professional dancer is apparently bedridden, and is fighting the clock to be fit to perform this weekend.
Read more: Strictly star’s weekend performance could be in doubt
A source at Strictly told the Sun: “AJ has been struck down with a bug. He really needs to lie down for the majority of the day as his temperature is up and down.
“He’s popping in every now and then to training to advise on the choreography, but he doesn’t want to give Mollie his illness.
“A back-up dancer called Patrick has stepped in and is dancing with Mollie. But AJ is in a real race against time to make it to the show on Saturday.”
In an Instagram story, Mollie introduced stand-in Patrick, and she said: “Thank goodness for Patrick, for putting in all these hours!”
She then sent AJ a “get well soon” wish before getting back on with the important business of learning her new routine.
Rumours have been flying around about Mollie and AJ’s relationship – and whether they may have begun a romance.
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With countless snaps of them out and about together, laughing in pubs and looking very attractive.
However, the pair insist their relationship is 100% platonic, and they’re only interested in reaching the finals of Strictly in a couple of months’ time.
Hopefully AJ will recover in time to dance on Saturday – platonic or not, we love the chemistry these two have together!