Curtis and AJ Pritchard take on their biggest challenge yet for heartbreaking reason

Love Island star Curtis Pritchard and former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard will be taking on the challenge of their lives next year - when they run the London Marathon for Marie Curie.

The pair have decided to lace up their running shoes for a very important cause next year. The duo will run the London Marathon for the end of life charity and have urged others to sign up to join them for the 26.2 mile course.

Speaking about their decision to run the London Marathon, AJ exclusively told The Mirror : "We always run a half marathon and we get to the end - that 13.1 miles - and I think, I don't need to run a full marathon, a half marathon is enough for me.

"But to have the opportunity to run it for Marie Curie, the first time we will be running anything beyond 13.1 miles - it needs to be the right cause for the pain my legs are physically going to be enduring."

He continued: "I feel - because it is our first time - we're going to absolutely love it. We're going to enjoy every moment and hope it's not as warm as it was this year! I think if I had run this marathon, I would have done a Joel Dommett and been in an ambulance."

Curtis added: "It is not easy to do but the one very special thing about the marathon is the community that turns up there. There are 1000s of people in the crowd watching you; it becomes this incredible day out of meeting new people and experiencing something new. Getting that runner's buzz! People are wild when they say that!

"To run the marathon, it's a cool thing to say and a cool thing to tick off your bucket list, it's a great goal and aspiration!"

It is even more important for both Curtis and AJ to be running in aid of Marie Curie. The charity is there to support people and their loved ones with end of life care and is a cause close to the pair.

"I think it's important for young people to talk about it. For us, it's our parents, our grandparents. Our grandma, she has passed away and it's these things you think about it when you're older - but the one thing about the passing of anyone, it can happen at any time and you don't prepare for it. That's important for us to raise awareness," AJ said.

"For the people that have the opportunity to live their lives, we can go and do that. I want to take all these opportunities. Sometimes people don't have the opportunity to do that, but whatever it is you can do, take that opportunity and do it. You don't know when it's the last time you go for a run, the last time you do a Paso Doble in the studio, just take that opportunity."

Away from their marathon plans, the boys are hoping to do some more reality TV.

"He's always the centre of the conversation!" AJ said of his brother, "I think that Bear Grylls show on Netflix would be really good for Curtis to do. Big Brother - considering all it is being in a house and talking - that would be sick one for you."

"Big Brother would be an interesting one because it's not something I have watched avidly," Curtis then chimed in as AJ added: "The reason why he's so funny and so good when he goes on these shows is because he has no idea what the hell is going on.

"He goes with the flow and gets into the moment. I like to prepare and know what's coming. For myself and Curtis, we'd love something that pushes us physically and mentally."

*Marie Curie has been announced as the official Charity of the Year for the 2026 TCS London Marathon. The charity is encouraging people to apply for a charity place to help Marie Curie bring expert end of life care to more people.