I'm A Celeb's AJ Pritchard's grandmother has died but he won't find out until show ends
The ex Strictly professional is still in the running to reach the final of the show as brother Curtis Pritchard insists their grandmother would have wanted him to continue
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AJ Pritchard's grandmother has died while he is starring on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, but the star won't find out until his time in the show is over.
The tragic news was revealed by AJ's brother Curtis, who called their 93-year-old Nana 'one of the most inspirational women on the planet.'
Opening up about the loss in a heartfelt social media post, Curtis also said it is their grandfather's wish for AJ to carry on with the ITV reality show.
The final is scheduled to air this Friday 4 December, with AJ still competing to be crowned King of the Castle.
Taking to Instagram, Curtis - who is starring in the upcoming series of Celebs Go Dating - revealed that his beloved grandmother had passed away on Friday.
Explaining why ITV producers would not be telling his brother what happened, Curtis 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 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."
Curtis went on: "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."
The heartbroken star explained to fans that only two of his family members were able to visit his grandmother in hospital before she died given the current coronavirus restrictions.
"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," said Curtis in his tribute.
In last night's tear-jerking episode of I'm A Celeb, viewers saw AJ miss out on getting a message from his loved-ones.
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