AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen must avoid sunlight for two years and wear compression vest

AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen has been told to avoid sunlight for two years after suffering third degree burns during a freak accident earlier this year.

The dancer, 23, was left in agony when a social media hack went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode and set fire to her hair and clothing. 

And in a new interview, Abbie has detailed that as part of her recovery, she now has to avoid the sun and has completely updated her wardrobe with high-neck tops and hats in order not to expose her skin too much.

Precautions: AJ Pritchard’s girlfriend Abbie Quinnen has been told to avoid sunlight for two years after suffering third degree burns during a freak accident earlier this year

Abbie was rushed to hospital and had to undergo three skin grafts after her and AJ’s trick went wrong – which involved them dipping a rope into flammable liquid and wrapping it around a wine bottle before setting it alight in a bid to make a vase. 

Detailing the changes she now has to make, Abbie told The Sun: ‘Since I was little, people used to always say what a pretty girl I was. As a dancer, so much is about how you look, and so for my face and body to be so badly burnt, that was really hard to deal with.

‘My wardrobe was full of crop tops, little vests, dresses and bikinis, and now I have to wear a compression vest for two more years. I can’t expose my skin to the sun.’

She continued: ‘The laser treatment to reduce redness is painful and it makes your skin go black for a few days before it starts to take effect. So I have to think about dressing differently, buying lots of roll-neck tops.’

Cover up: Abbie has detailed that as part of her recovery she now has to avoid the sun and has completely updated her wardrobe with high-neck tops and hats in order not to expose her skin too much

Cover up: Abbie has detailed that as part of her recovery she now has to avoid the sun and has completely updated her wardrobe with high-neck tops and hats in order not to expose her skin too much 

The beauty told how her helpful former Strictly star beau, 26, bought her a bucket hat to protect herself from the sun, but the sweet gesture left her in tears.

Detailing how she has to adapt to a new way of dressing, Abbie explained that she can no longer dress to ‘show off my figure’, adding that she uses an extensive amount of make-up to conceal ‘cover the redness over my face’ and can’t leave the house with ‘high-factor sun cream’ in her foundation.

Dancer AJ has been by Abbie’s side throughout her ordeal and has been helping her in any way he can with her recovery.

The performer explained that her boyfriend has been cooking up high protein ‘Nando’s chicken’ meals with plenty of halloumi, which she eats three times a week.

Shocking: The dancer, 23, was left in agony when a social media hack went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode and set fire to her hair and clothing

Shocking: The dancer, 23, was left in agony when a social media hack went horribly wrong and saw a wine bottle explode and set fire to her hair and clothing

Changes: 'My wardrobe was full of crop tops, little vests, dresses and bikinis, and now I have to wear a compression vest for two more years. I can't expose my skin to the sun'

Changes: ‘My wardrobe was full of crop tops, little vests, dresses and bikinis, and now I have to wear a compression vest for two more years. I can’t expose my skin to the sun’

While she must drink plenty of water ‘all the time’ as her burnt skin is ‘completely dehydrated’. 

Abbie went on to praise the quick-thinking actions of AJ and his brother Curtis, 25, who sprung into action amid the accident as they drove her to A&E in their car after realising an ambulance would take too long due to being overstretched in the pandemic. 

She added that the Pritchard family have been ‘amazing’ and have done ‘everything they can’ to assist her and her partner. 

Earlier this month, Abbie shared a photo of her face on social media for the first time since her horrific fire accident in January as she enjoyed a trip to Bockett’s Farm Park in the North Downs with AJ. 

Update: 'The laser treatment to reduce redness is painful and it makes your skin go black for a few days before it starts to take effect. So I have to think about dressing differently, buying lots of roll-neck tops'

Update: ‘The laser treatment to reduce redness is painful and it makes your skin go black for a few days before it starts to take effect. So I have to think about dressing differently, buying lots of roll-neck tops’

Abbie previously revealed the extent of the second-degree burns on her face she suffered after the horrific fire accident.

The dancer shared pictures taken before her surgeries to highlight the burns which covered much of the right side of her face.

In an emotional interview, Abbie also revealed that she asked AJ if he ‘would still love her’ following the terrifying accident.

She candidly recalled her first thoughts after the terrifying incident, revealing she was ‘shaking in horror’ and saw her ‘life flash before her eyes.’

A new life: Abbie explained that she can no longer dress to 'show off my figure', adding that she uses an extensive amount of make-up to conceal 'cover the redness over my face'

A new life: Abbie explained that she can no longer dress to ‘show off my figure’, adding that she uses an extensive amount of make-up to conceal ‘cover the redness over my face’

Abbie also said that it only took seconds for her body to set alight and while she was rolling around in terror, AJ used wet towels to try and put out the flames.

She told The Sun: ‘The first thing I said to AJ was, “Is my face going to be OK? Are you still going to love me?” I kept repeating this to him and I was shaking in horror.

‘It was such a shock, I was panicking and screaming. I dropped down to the floor and I was rolling to try to put out the fire. I saw my life flash before my eyes.’

Abbie also reflected on the gruelling recovery process so far, revealing that she was taking 27 tablets a day, but is now only using paracetamol for the pain, and dropped to just seven-stone in weight when she was left bed-bound after the accident.

Helpful: The performer explained that her boyfriend has been cooking up high protein 'Nando's chicken' meals with plenty of halloumi, which she eats three times a week

Helpful: The performer explained that her boyfriend has been cooking up high protein ‘Nando’s chicken’ meals with plenty of halloumi, which she eats three times a week

Help: Abbie went on to praise the quick-thinking actions of AJ and his brother Curtis, 25, who sprung into action amid the accident as they drove her to A&E in their car (the brothers are pictured together in 2020)

Help: Abbie went on to praise the quick-thinking actions of AJ and his brother Curtis, 25, who sprung into action amid the accident as they drove her to A&E in their car (the brothers are pictured together in 2020) 

Abbie, who was left with injuries on her face, neck, chest, torso and shoulder, also revealed that when the flames were put out the floor was covered in her burnt hair.

After one night in Ealing Hospital Abbie was transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital’s burns unit, where she said she tried to avoid any mirrors.

The influencer explained how her face had swelled up and she couldn’t use her right eye but kept catching small glimpses of her visage in her phone screen.

She also revealed that AJ, who had held a vigil outside the first hospital overnight, tried to drop off some fresh clothes for her but she refused to see him.

Abbie Quinnen has shared a photo of her face on social media for the first time since her horrific fire accident in January

Outing: Earlier this month, Abbie shared a photo of her face on social media for the first time since her horrific fire accident in January as she enjoyed a trip to Bockett’s Farm Park in the North Downs with AJ

Abbie said: ‘From the moment it happened, I was worried I would never look the same again… I was terrified about seeing anyone.’

After days apart, Abbie didn’t want AJ to see her wrapped up in bandages however the Strictly star explained how he just took her hand and became emotional when they were reunited and Abbie discharged from the hospital.

Abbie’s recovery has been intense and she’s required three skin grafts, with doctors taking skin from her rib cage for the first surgery – however they ended up using donor skin as she had an infection at the time of the procedure.

The dancer explained she opted for this location as she ‘couldn’t cope’ with losing anymore hair and taking skin from the back of her head.

Painful: Abbie, who was left with injuries on her face, neck, chest, torso and shoulder, also revealed that when the flames were put out the floor was covered in her burnt hair

Painful: Abbie, who was left with injuries on her face, neck, chest, torso and shoulder, also revealed that when the flames were put out the floor was covered in her burnt hair

Love: After days apart, Abbie didn't want AJ to see her wrapped up in bandages however the Strictly star explained how he just took her hand and became emotional when they were reunited and Abbie discharged from the hospital

Love: After days apart, Abbie didn’t want AJ to see her wrapped up in bandages however the Strictly star explained how he just took her hand and became emotional when they were reunited and Abbie discharged from the hospital

Luckily, the third graft was able to be completed with her skin, with doctors taking from her rib cage and using on seven patches, including her arm, torso and neck.

Since the accident, a number of fans have reached out to Abbie and AJ to send their best wishes.

Among them is Claudia Winkleman, 49, whose daughter Matilda suffered burns in 2014 after her Halloween costume caught alight.

Abbie said she was ‘so happy’ to hear from the TV presenter, adding that hearing about other people’s recoveries has helped her focus on her own.

She broke her silence on the matter last month and told fans she’s ‘OK’ following the accident on January 19.

Harrowing: AJ fought back tears as he detailed the horrific ordeal of seeing 'someone he loves on fire' while appearing on This Morning last month

Harrowing: AJ fought back tears as he detailed the horrific ordeal of seeing ‘someone he loves on fire’ while appearing on This Morning last month 

As well as reassuring followers she’s recovering in her Instagram message, Abbie warned others to be ‘careful’ after a YouTube tutorial went terribly wrong.

She also thanked staff at London’s Chelsea & Westminster burns unit for their ‘incredible care and treatment’ as she continues to improve after her ordeal.

The influencer said: ‘I am sad I have been absent in the last few weeks and haven’t posted much with AJ, we so desperately wanted to be able to share daily vlogs with you all but unfortunately I have had an accident.

‘Whilst we were attempting to create a glass bottle into a vase following a YouTube tutorial it went terribly wrong and it resulted in me incurring injuries and burns requiring continuous hospital treatment over the past seven weeks.

‘I really need you all to be careful with what you’re doing and if you’re copying any YouTube videos. I will be OK, I love you all.

Showing support: Claudia Winkleman, whose daughter suffered burns in 2014, reached out to fellow Strictly star AJ and Abbie after their terrifying fire accident

Showing support: Claudia Winkleman, whose daughter suffered burns in 2014, reached out to fellow Strictly star AJ and Abbie after their terrifying fire accident

‘I also want to say a massive thank you to the nurses and doctors and the Chelsea & Westminster burns unit for their incredible care and treatment.’

AJ and Abbie have been dating since 2018 and seem to have gone from strength to strength during lockdown.

The former I’m A Celebrity contestant recently gushed over his pro dancer love as he detailed how they’ve been discussing the future lots during the pandemic.

Abbie has also gushed over her dancer beau in the past, admitting she believes AJ is ‘The One’ and that she was ‘going crazy’ without him by her side during his stint in the Welsh I’m A Celebrity camp last year. 

Statement: Abbie broke her silence on the matter last month and told fans she's 'OK' following the accident on January 19

Statement: Abbie broke her silence on the matter last month and told fans she’s ‘OK’ following the accident on January 19

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