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.