AJ Pritchard’s grandfather has paid tribute to his late wife of nearly 70 years, Angela, after she passed away on Friday aged 93.
According to Stoke-on-Trent Live, Leslie revealed one of his long-term partner’s ‘greatest pleasures’ was to see her grandchildren, including the dancer, 26, and Love Island star Curtis, 24, ‘flourish in their careers’.
Former Strictly professional AJ is yet to find out the devastating news and won’t be informed until after his departure from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Heartfelt: AJ Pritchard’s grandfather has paid tribute to his late wife of nearly 70 years, Angela, after she passed away on Friday aged 93 (pictured together with his brother Curtis)
Leslie – who had been married to Angela since the early 50s – told the publication: ‘It is with great sadness that my beautiful wife Angela has passed away. She was the love of my life.
‘One of her greatest pleasures right until the end of her life was seeing AJ and Curtis as well as her other grandchildren flourish in their careers, and she made it clear she would hate for them to give up their dreams.
‘l want to thank everybody for being so kind during such a difficult and sad time for our family.’
Reality star Curtis revealed the news on Monday as he posted a picture of his nan, who suffered from dementia, to Instagram.
Heartbreaking: The former Strictly professional, 26, is yet to find out the devastating news and won’t be informed until after his departure from I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!
Touching: Leslie revealed one of his long-term partner’s ‘greatest pleasures’ was to see her grandchildren, including the dancer and Love Island star Curtis, 24, ‘flourish’ (pictured)
‘She’ll be watching and guiding him’: The reality star revealed the news on Monday as he posted a picture of his nan, who suffered from dementia, to Instagram
He said: ‘It is following our grandad’s wishes that myself and AJ are to carry on with the current projects we are committed to.
‘Grandad said to myself and AJ, [26], that it would break his heart for us to stop what we were doing as Nanna had such pride in our work.
‘AJ therefore discussed with the family before entering the castle that if something did happen to Nanna whilst he was away, that he wouldn’t want to be told until he left the castle and that in her honour he would complete his commitment to the show, with a view to doing her and the family proud.
‘As Grandad and Nanna would have wished for, AJ will stay in the castle and continue making her proud wherever she is watching from.
Lovely words: The media personality shared a lengthy post about his sad loss following his nan’s battle with dementia
‘AJ has so much more to give to the show and we know that Nanna will be watching and guiding him throughout the final part of his journey on the programme. We know we have made the right decision for everyone involved.’
Curtis also expressed his heartache that only two family members were able to visit her in hospital before she passed away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The media personality ended his note: ‘Life is beautiful, life is incredible, life is magical… But sadly it doesn’t last forever. RIP, I love your Nanna.
‘Nanna words literally cannot describe how much I love you, and forever will love you and the memories of you. You really have been a massive part of my life and helped me to be the man I am today.’
Nail-biting: The remaining ten celebrities will continue to be evicted from the programme’s new location of Gwrych Castle in North Wales each night until the series finale on Friday
Close: AJ’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen wrote some kind words in the comments
AJ’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen wrote in the comments: ‘What an incredible, beautiful, strong woman she was! She is going to be forever proud of you, Aj and Debi. Rest in perfect peace Angela ❤️.
Meanwhile, Ruthie Hensall became the second campmate to be eliminated from this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! during Sunday’s episode.
On her departure, the stage actress, 53, held back tears as she anticipated reuniting with her daughters Lily, 17, and Dolly, 15, stating: ‘I get to see my girls! As a mother you just think about the things you do wrong, not the things you do right.’
The remaining ten celebrities will continue to be evicted from the programme’s new location of Gwrych Castle in North Wales each night until the series finale on Friday, after parasport athlete Hollie Arnold was booted from the series last week.