AJ Pritchard‘s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen believes a robin that visited the I’m A Celeb camp was the dancer’s late grandmother saying goodbye.
The former Strictly star, 26, is yet to be told his Nan passed this week aged 93 following a battle with dementia but the family have been comforted by the robin, which they believe visited the Welsh castle in honour of Angela’s memory.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Abbie, 23, said brothers AJ and Curtis would always visit their grandparents before doing a TV show or working away from home – just in case the elderly couple took a turn for the worse.
‘He will be really upset’: AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen believes a robin that visited the I’m A Celeb camp was the dancer’s late grandmother saying goodbye
Abbie said: ‘AJ did know that his Nan was in hospital when we were in lockdown. Unfortunately we found out she wasn’t very well. He will be really upset.
‘She’s had bad dementia so whenever Curtis and AJ do a big TV job or a stint where they’re away they always go and see their grandparents before just in case because they know how old and frail and also how ill she was.
‘There was a robin that went in and robins are known to visit a relative once they’ve passed and we believe that robin was actually AJ’s Nan and seeing that robin gave huge, huge comfort to the family so we were pleased the robin visited on that day.’
Robins are thought to be a sign that loved ones are still with their grieving families, with the bird in camp appearing just one day after AJ’s grandmother passed away.
Loved one: The Strictly star is yet to be told his Nan passed this week but the family have been comforted by the robin, which they believe visited the castle in honour of Angela’s memory
Sad: Abbie said brothers AJ and Curtis would always visit their grandparents before doing a TV show or working away from home – just in case the elderly couple took a turn for the worse
AJ’s brother Curtis confirmed their beloved Nan had passed this week with a post on Instagram, which said she had helped him to become the man he is today and ‘words cannot describe how much I love you.’
Due to coronavirus, their loved ones, as in previous years when the series was set in Australia, can’t meet celebrities departing camp.
Abbie said: ‘I am devastated I can’t run and hug him when he leaves – that is such an iconic moment from I’m A Celeb and it’s really sad they can’t see their loved ones as soon as possible to make them feel happy and to tell them how amazing they’ve done but I will get to see him soon.’
The professional dancer from Surrey, who’s been in a relationship with AJ for 18 months after they met on his dance tour, Get on the Floor, hopes her boyfriend can go all the way in the competition and be crowned King of the Castle.
‘I am devastated I can’t run and hug him’: Due to coronavirus, their loved ones, as in previous years when the series was set in Australia, can’t meet celebrities departing camp
While she wants AJ to remain in camp for as long as possible, she also longs for the moment she can see him again.
She said: ‘Last night I was a mess. I feel like it’s such an emotional rollercoaster because I just want him to do well.
‘Last night when I find out he was through I cried! It was happiness and a relief of stress because I have been trying to get absolutely everyone possible to vote for AJ. I couldn’t be prouder of him.
‘It would mean the world to me for him to make the finals or even beyond that and be King of the Castle that would be the dream even though I miss him so much.
‘Last night when I find out he was through I cried!’: While Abbie wants AJ to remain in camp for as long as possible, she also longs for the moment she can see him again
‘I know how much this would mean to AJ as well so if he actually made to King of the Castle, he would actually be the happiest person in the entire world.
‘Last night he was really, really enjoying himself, it made me so happy that they were all just jumping around and being silly.’
Earlier this week, most of the camp received special gifts and messages from home – but AJ and Giovanna Fletcher went without, causing them to pine for their families even more.
It was a difficult moment for Abbie to watch, after ITV producers had already told her that her boyfriend wasn’t going to be given his treat.
‘Scared of everything!’ Ahead of tonight’s show, which will see AJ and pal Mo Farah take part in a trial, Abbie said: ‘I would love to see a few more trials if possible because he is so funny’
She said: ‘I thought that was a really nice moment we saw from AJ, the fact he was so selfless and gave his treat to other campmates that have children so I thought that was really, really sweet but he did suffer knowing he could have had something from home as well.
‘I am really hoping he might be able to win his treat. I do know what the treat is – I did get a call from one of the producers telling me he wouldn’t get his treat tonight and part of me did feel a bit down and had a tear in my eye and also the fact that she was near him, that made me emotional.’
Ahead of tonight’s show, which will see AJ and pal Mo Farah take part in a trial, Abbie said: ‘I would love to see a few more trials if possible because he is so funny and scared of everything.
‘He would be very dramatic if he did any more trials for sure. He did seem pretty keen last night to do another trial.’