‘I was thinking: “How can I survive?”‘ AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen relives freak fire and details fears she would ‘never look the same’ after receiving third degree burns
- The professional dancer, 23, needed three skin grafts after a YouTube video she was filming with AJ, 26, went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode
- Appearing on Lorraine on Tuesday, Abbie detailed the fears she felt for her life when the fire started while AJ spoke about how ‘seconds felt like a lifetime’
- She then explained that while recovering, she feared she would ‘never look the same’ and could not return to her dream job of performing
AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen has discussed the horrific moment she received second and third-degree in a freak fire.
The professional dancer, 23, needed three skin grafts after a YouTube video she was filming with her boyfriend, 26, went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode and set fire to her hair and clothing on January 19.
Appearing on Lorraine on Tuesday, Abbie detailed the fears she felt for her life when the fire started while AJ spoke about how ‘seconds felt like a lifetime’, while he attempted to quell the flames consuming his partner.
She then explained that while recovering, she feared she would ‘never look the same’ and could not return to her dream job of performing.
Fears: AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen has discussed the horrific moment she received second and third-degree in a freak fire
Last month, Abbie was seen for the first time our for the first time since the burns and during her appearance on the chat show she marvelled at how the skin was healing while AJ branded the body ‘unbelievable’.
The duo were attempting to upcycle a wine bottle into a vase when the accident happened – leading to a stark warning from Lorraine.
Abbie said: ‘At the time, when I was on fire, I was just thinking, “How can I survive, how can I get myself out of this situation?” so I don’t actually remember it being that painful, I think I was just in shock and trying to think how can I put this out.’
Of the moment, Abbie went on: ‘I think AJ wanted to do this life hack, this home hack, what everyone’s been doing, to find something to do [in lockdown].
Agony: The professional dancer, 23, needed three skin grafts after a video she was filming with her boyfriend , 26, went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode and set fire to her hair and clothing on January 19
Devastating: In an earlier interview, Abbie revealed that she asked boyfriend AJ if he ‘would still love her’ following the terrifying accident (pictured before the accident)
‘We watched the video straight before we did it, to watch step-by-step and everything and unfortunately it just went horribly wrong…
‘I was stood about 4m away from AJ and it went up, straight away, it went straight across the room and it caught my hair instantly and then unfortunately my body as well, my clothes.’
AJ said: ‘Seconds feel like a lifetime. When Abbie hit the floor and tried to roll and grabbed a blanket to put the fire out, at the same time I was grabbing wet towels to put on the areas, calling the ambulance, going to A&E, it felt like a whole year…
‘But you just have to do what you’ve got to do in those scenarios. As soon as I handed you off to the professionals at the hospital then I was a goner, I broke down.’
Terror: Appearing on Lorraine on Tuesday, Abbie detailed the fears she felt for her life when the fire started while AJ spoke about how ‘seconds felt like a lifetime’, while he attempted to quell the flames consuming his partner
He said of her recovery: ‘It’s unbelievable the hospital, the surgeons, the nurses have helped so much. The skin is unbelievable [in how it recovers], while Abbie added: ‘I’m doing OK a lot better than I was, that’s for sure. My face has almost healed now.’
Abbie said: ‘I think when it happened I was just thinking the worst, my face is never going to look the same again, I’m always going to have scars on my body…
‘I’m never going to be able to dance or perform and do what I love doing, so I instantly thought that was it for me. Luckily my face is healing really well.’
Terrifying: The dancer candidly recalled her first thoughts after the terrifying incident, revealing she was ‘shaking in horror’ and saw her ‘life flash before her eyes.’ (pictured before the accident)
The couple also spoke about how Claudia Winkleman and Katie Piper reached out to them following their terrifying fire accident.
The TV host, 49, whose daughter Matilda suffered horrific burns in 2014, sent her support to the couple as soon as she heard about Abbie’s injuries.
Abbie said: ‘They were absolutely amazing. I think talking to Claudia, I just couldn’t believe what her daughter went through. I think she went through 14 operations, which is so horrible. I hated having three.’
Hurt: ‘I’m never going to be able to dance or perform and do what I love doing, so I instantly thought that was it for me. Luckily my face is healing really well’
AJ added: ‘She gave lots of tips and different moisturising creams [to try]. You read every pamphlet and everything’s got something different…
‘Just having some actual reassurance you’re doing the right thing, as you always doubt yourself. Talking, something Claudia and Katie said, actually talk to someone about it because the same with ITV, the Get Talking campaign…
‘It’s the most important thing. Us sitting here is helping us as much as it’s helping other people.’
Showing support: The couple also spoke about how Claudia Winkleman and Katie Piper reached out to them following their terrifying fire accident
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