Whitchurch’s AJ Pritchard is wowing the judges on Strictly Come Dancing.

The third week of the show saw the couples dancing to film soundtracks.

Professional dancer AJ Pritchard, 22, and his partner Mollie King, 30, from the girl band The Saturdays, danced the American Smooth to Climb Every Mountain from The Sound Of Music.

They received their highest score of 30 out of a possible 40 points, placing them fifth on the leaderboard.

Bruno Tonioli scored the duo a eight and said: “It was as uplifting and crisp as fresh mountain air.”

Darcey Bussell said: “When you come out of the lifts, hold your core and it will help AJ as well. You have so much potential.”

Craig Revel Horwood said: “I absolutely loved the lifts, I really did. The only problem, darling, was the landings.”

He awarded the pair a seven.

Shirley Ballas was thrilled with the dance and scored them their second eight. “You’ve made my night, it was just lovely,” she said.

AJ and Mollie were over the moon with the comments from the judges and shared a warm embrace backstage.

The theme, songs and dance routines for Saturday will be revealed later today on the BBC blog.

AJ’s parents run a dance and fitness centre in Burleydam near Whitchurch where he learned to dance as a youngster.