He was given the okay to join I’m A Celebrity after recovering from coronavirus earlier this week.
And AJ Pritchard delightedly bid farewell to his girlfriend Abbie Quinnen and brother Curtis as he set off for North Wales to join his I’m A Celebrity co-stars on Friday, ahead of the show’s return on Sunday.
In a set of adorable snaps shared via Instagram, the professional dancer, 26, and his girlfriend, 24, locked arms in a loving embrace as they said their goodbyes.
Departure: I’m A Celebrity’s AJ Pritchard bid farewell to girlfriend Abbie Quinnen as he set off to the show’s set on Friday after recovering from coronavirus
AJ kept it casual as he donned a black hoodie and joggers for the journey to Gwrych Castle in Abergele, where the cast will be staying for the duration of the show.
The TV star showed no intention of packing light as he posed near two large metal suitcases and a black and red holdall bag, while he also carried a backpack.
Abbie looked effortlessly chic in an ankle-length white jacket, while she let her blonde tresses flow in a loose wave over her shoulders.
AJ also shared another fun snap with his brother Curtis, 24, and both siblings flashed wide grins at the camera as they posed for the jokey snap with Abbie.
Farewell! He also shared another fun snap with his brother Curtis, 24, showing the siblings flashing wide grins at the camera as they posed for the jokey snap with Abbie
The former Love Islander sported a white fleeced jumper as he waved his older brother off, while AJ humorously pointed at his brother in the picture.
Alongside the sweet snaps, AJ penned: ‘Off I go on my new adventure! I hope to do you proud see you all on the other side @imacelebrity #imacelebrity #hereigo #bringiton.’
AJ and Abbie first got together in 2018 after the dancer auditioned for the former Strictly star’s Get on the Floor live tour.
AJ tested positive for Covid just days before the new series, which put his position on the show in jeopardy, but after self-isolating he was given the green light to take part.
Shock: AJ tested positive for Covid just days before the new series, which put his position on the show in jeopardy, but after self-isolating he was given the green light to take part
The entire show were reportedly on ‘tenterhooks’ awaiting confirmation that AJ was free of the disease after the ITV team had undergone ‘incredible lengths’ to ensure the set is Covid secure.
An insider told MailOnline on Wednesday that the professional dancer had been told he could take part in the show after receiving a negative test result.
A TV source added: ‘It is a huge relief, luckily AJ hasn’t suffered at all with the virus – and was able to recover quickly.
‘Thankfully his test result has come back negative so he has been given the all clear to go ahead with the show.
‘He is so excited to take part, a positive test result at this last stage would have been devastating.’
In a new interview, AJ told MailOnline: ‘I did have a positive Covid test early on into my isolation.
Healthy: On Wednesday AJ told MailOnline: ‘I did have a positive Covid test early on into my isolation. I’m very, very happy to report I’ve had two negative tests recently’
‘I’m very, very happy to report I’ve had two negative tests recently and they’ve both come back very, very negative which means I’m 100 per cent going into the jungle/castle whatever we’re calling it now, into the castle, and I’m very excited about that. A big relief for everybody.
‘I just want to thank ITV for all their stringent measures and the whole point of us going into lockdown and isolating was just in case this happened so thank you very much to ITV for making everybody feel safe and secure in this situation.’
He added: ‘I didn’t have any symptoms and I think that’s the thing with this.
Thankful: AJ isolated with girlfriend Abbie near Gwrych Castle, where filming started on Friday
‘It’s a crazy world we live in and we all have something to deal with, but thankfully I didn’t have any symptoms. But the positive thing is that I’m completely negative now.’
I’m A Celebrity is set to return in the new location of Gwrych Castle in Abergele after it was forced to move from Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic.
AJ is starring in the latest series of I’m A Celebrity alongside other famous faces including Jessica Plummer, Giovanna Fletcher, Vernon Kay and Mo Farah.
Other celebrities competing in the series are Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard, 63, Paralympian Hollie Arnold, 26, and funnyman Shane Richie, 56.
Camp mates: AJ is starring in the latest series of I’m A Celebrity alongside other famous faces including Jessica Plummer, Giovanna Fletcher, Vernon Kay and Mo Farah
And some of the stars were spotted filming the opening scenes of the 2020 series and taking part in their first terrifying trial on Friday.
The group were tasked with abseiling down a cliff in Anglesey, Wales, ahead of arriving at Gwrych Castle.
The 2020 series, which starts on Sunday, is expected to last 20 days – two shorter than normal.
I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! 2020: Who are the celebrities?
Name: SIR MO FARAH CBE
Age: 37
Claim to fame: The most successful British track athlete in Olympic Games history
Phobias: Any animal that moves
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me doing something other than running
Role in the camp: Cook
Miss most: Coffee, my wife and children
Dream campmate: Samuel L Jackson would be pretty cool
Relationship status: Married
Name: SHANE RICHIE
Age: 56
Phobias: Human faeces. If I see one, it is over! I am hoping the camp toilet will be enclosed
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: Nothing. I don’t think I am that interesting
Role in the camp: Person who will muck in with anything
Miss most: My family and routine at home
Dream campmate: Eric Cantona, any 80s’ pop star or The Roc
Relationship status: Married
Name: BEVERLEY CALLARD
Age: 63
Claim to fame: Corrie legend
Phobias: Ghosts and insects
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People think I am glamorous as I have played Liz for so long but I am not
Role in the camp: Cleaner
Miss most: Dogs and my husband, Jon
Dream campmate: Ricky Gervais – he would keep us all going
Relationship status: Married
Name: AJ PRITCHARD
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Former Strictly professional
Phobias: Heights, claustrophobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: People see me with sparkles and fake tan but nobody knows what I am like
Role in the camp: Keeping spirits up and the cleaner
Miss most: My warm and comfy bed
Dream campmate: Any celebrity with an intriguing background
Relationship status: Dating
Name: VERNON KAY
Age: 46
Claim to fame: TV and radio presenter
Phobias: I don’t like being confined underwater!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the Jungle: I think I have always been the same throughout my career – so I don’t have any.
Role in the camp: Person to keep spirits up.
Miss most: My family.
Dream camper: Anybody who has won the Super Bowl!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: VICTORIA DERBYSHIRE
Age: 52
Claim to fame: Award-winning journalist
Phobias: I am not a fan of spiders or confined spaces and I don’t know what I am going to be like when I get there!
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t think I have any as people just know me as the news and current affairs person!
Role in the camp: Shoulder to cry on.
Miss most: My boys, husband, dog and Mum.
Dream campmate: Madonna, Gary Lineker and Jamie Oliver to cook for us. I think you could have some really geeky chats with them!
Relationship status: Married.
Name: GIOVANNA FLETCHER
Age: 35
Claim to fame: Author and podcaster
Phobias: Heights. My legs go wobbly and you can’t rationalise it
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I am not that controversial so nothing
Role in the camp: Mum, friend and the giver of hugs
Miss most: My husband, Tom, and my three children
Dream campmate: The Queen, Judi Dench and Ant Middleton so he can help us with all the survival skills
Relationship status: Married
Name: JESSICA PLUMMER
Age: 28
Claim to fame: Former EastEnders actress
Phobias: Arachnophobia, fear of heights –just about every phobia
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: It will be nice for people to see me for who I am rather than my EastEnders character
Role in the camp: Chatterbox and little sister
Miss most: My daughter. It’s going to be the longest we’ve been apart
Dream campmate: Denzel Washington would be awesome. I would listen to every word he said
Relationship status: Single
Name: JORDAN NORTH
Age: 30
Claim to fame: Radio 1 DJ
Phobias: It’s just easier to say what I am not scared of. I have so many phobias
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: On my Radio 1 show, I am always bubbly and energetic but everyone has down moments too, so it will be nice for people to see what I am really like
Role in the camp: Entertainer and the tidy up person –I love a tidy house
Miss most: A nice cool pint of Guinness
Dream campmate: Barack Obama and Liam Gallagher. He would be great entertainment value
Relationship status: Single
Name: HOLLIE ARNOLD MBE
Age: 26
Claim to fame: Paralympic gold medallist
Phobias: Spiders
Biggest misconception you want to dispel in the castle: I don’t want it to focus on my disability
Role in the camp: Cook/shoulder to cry on
Miss most: My boyfriend, food and my cats
Dream campmate: Michelle Keegan –she is beautiful
Relationship status: Dating