When AJ Odudu religiously watched Strictly Come Dancing in the front room of her family’s small terrace in Blackburn, she only dreamed of being in the competition herself one day.
But her hopes and dreams really did come true when she became a 2021 contestant, the TV presenter says, and she still couldn't believe it was happening.
Whilst she impressed the judges and viewers at home over the past 13 weeks with partner Kai Widdrington, her incredible journey was unfortunately cut short on Friday after a devastating injury.
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The 33-year-old damaged a ligament in her right ankle, and despite the best efforts of the medical team, it resulted in her having to pull out of Saturday's final.
AJ said she was "deeply upset" at being unable to perform, as earlier in the week she had been determined to give it her all to make it to the end of a show she had so longed to be a part of.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, AJ said: “We can all sit at home and watch something on a Saturday night and think ‘I’d love to be there’, ‘I’d love to be on that dancefloor’.
“And say it for years and years as I genuinely have, and then when you get there, you’re like ‘oh my gosh’, it’s actually happening, and when dreams come true, it’s amazing, but it’s also quite moving, you can’t believe it’s happening yourself.
“I feel the whole experience has really been a dream.”
AJ, who started out at BBC Blast based at Radio Lancashire, first broke into the limelight in 2013 when presenting the spin-off Big Brother's Bit on the Side, alongside Emma Willis and Rylan Clark-Neal.
Since then she’s taken on a number of presenting gigs, and most recently hosted for Channel 4’s reality show spin off Married at First Sight: Afters.
While she’s a familiar name in showbiz now, she came from humble beginnings.
The star gave audiences a glimpse into her childhood in a previous episode, where she introduced her hometown - a place that means so much to her.
Proud of her northern roots, she said: “This is a gorgeous view of my entire hometown Blackburn. This town means so much to me.
"I am really proud to be a Lancashire lass from Blackburn.
"I have taken the work ethic and grit and determination of that town and I have carried that through with me where ever I go."
She went on to describe where she grew up with her five brothers, two sisters and parents in a 'small little terrace'.
"We didn't grow up with a lot financially but we were a family, always,” she said.
"I am really grateful for that."
She says her family bonds have grown even stronger since joining the hit programme, while another huge highlight includes working alongside Kai.
Their undeniably strong connection has led Strictly fans to debate week after week over whether the two singletons have fallen under the ‘Strictly curse’, but they say they are 'friends for life'.
AJ describes him as ‘patient, brilliant, and kind’ and someone that believes in her, with it being an 'incredible honour' to have been by his side.
Choking up with emotion during Wednesday's press conference, she said: “You [Kai] have been so patient and kind and brilliant, and even now when I’m hobbling around the place, he’s still been really positive and saying ‘we’re going to get you on that dancefloor’, and I’m just grateful for the whole experience.
“The public has been so supportive, I’ve got stronger bonds with my own friends and family, I’ve met the most amazing people, the whole strictly family is just incredible.
“And I’m just delighted my only time on this show has been spent with someone who just believes in me and has created the most magical moments on the dancefloor.”
You can watch the Strictly Come Dancing final on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday, December 18.
