AJ Pritchard lets slip his Strictly Come Dancing partner

The dancer, who is from the Midlands, made the slip during an appearance on the One Show this week with his brother Curtis.

The professional dancer, whose parents own a dance studio near Whitchurch in Shropshire, name dropped YouTube star Saffron Barker as his partner.

The 24-year-old dropped the name in while discussing his chances of making it past the semi-final stage this year.

“I think Saffron, we can make it to the final,” he said, shortly after his brother had suggested that Barker would be the perfect match for his brother as she is a bit smaller than he is.

“I’ve made the semi-finals three years in a row,” he said. “So fourth year, as they say, fourth year’s the charm, straight to the final I’ve got so many show ideas, it’s unbelievable they’ve just never come to fruition.”

Hosts Matt Baker and Emma Willis didn’t pick him up on the slip, but fans on Twitter reacted.

“Why is AJ talking like he’s got Saffron and they’re gonna win?” One user tweeted. “Have I missed something?”

There has been no official confirmation yet from the BBC.

Strictly matches the pairs on screen as part of an introductory show. But AJ's slip appears to show the dancers already know who their partners are.

Also on The One show, Love Island star Curtis spoke about his experience on the Irish version of Strictly and confessed he had a poor track record as he went out in week one both times.

But Curtis' career is on the up as he is going on tour with his brother next year.

Revealing the news, AJ said: "I'm going back on tour in 2020. The big announcement is I will be taking my brother on tour with me. AJ Live in 2020."

The brothers are well known in dancing circles in the West Midlands. Growing up in Shropshire, they have taken part in competitions all their lives. And they have also performed for local groups including care homes and hospitals.