Who is AJ Odudu, Big Brother 2023 newest host, career, education
After a five-year break, the iconic reality TV show, Big Brother, has finally made its eagerly awaited return to our television screens. This revival comes with a twist, as it finds a new home on a different channel and embraces a format reminiscent of its early days, characterized by reduced interference from the outside world and an array of interesting challenges for the housemates.
Who is AJ Odudu?
At the helm of this exciting reboot is none other than Onatejiro “AJ” Odudu, a British television presenter hailing from Blackburn, Lancashire. Born on February 12, 1988, AJ steps into the role of Big Brother host at the age of 35, bringing her unique charm and charisma to the series.
AJ Odudu Education
AJ’s educational journey took her through St Bede’s RC High School and St Mary’s College, both located in Blackburn. She furthered her academic pursuits by earning a degree in English and Politics from Keele University.
A Glimpse into AJ Odudu’s Career
AJ Odudu’s rise in the world of television began when she served as a reporter for BBC Blast, stationed at Radio Lancashire. Her initial foray into presenting commenced in 2009 when she featured on the BBC Two series titled “The Almost Perfect Guide to Life” and contributed to “The 5:19 Show,” an online program featured on the BBC website. She also assumed the role of the ‘raving reporter’ for the latter.
In 2010, AJ made a guest appearance on “100 Greatest Toys,” a special one-off broadcast on Channel 4. Her journey continued with her portrayal of herself in Comedy Lab in 2011, and she co-presented Sky Arts’ coverage of the Isle of Wight Festival in 2012.
June 2013 marked a significant turning point in AJ Odudu’s career when she began co-presenting “Big Brother’s Bit on the Side” alongside Rylan Clark and Emma Willis. She later joined “Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Psych” in August 2013. Her departure from the show was confirmed in November 2013, with Carol McGiffin taking her place. In August 2013, AJ expanded her reach by launching her own blog on Hello magazine’s UK website.
From 2015 to 2019, AJ hosted the 4Music program “Trending Live!” alongside Jimmy Hill and Vick Hope. Additionally, she became a familiar face as the presenter of the online Facebook quiz game “Confetti” in March and April 2019.
AJ’s winning streak continued in July 2021 when she emerged as the victor of the second series of “Celebrity Karaoke Club” on ITV2. The same month, she was confirmed as the co-host of a one-off revival edition of “The Big Breakfast” for Channel 4 in September 2021, alongside Mo Gilligan.
In March 2022, AJ co-hosted “The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon” alongside Vernon Kay. She also had the honor of presenting the UK jury points in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and played a pivotal role as a presenter for the BBC’s coverage of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022.
On January 10, 2023, it was announced that AJ would co-host the official handover and semi-final allocation draw for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, to be broadcast live on BBC Two.
The Exciting New Venture: Hosting the ITV Revival of Big Brother
In April 2023, it was revealed that AJ Odudu would take on the role of co-host for the eagerly anticipated ITV revival of Big Brother 2023, teaming up with Will Best to guide viewers through the captivating world of the Big Brother house.
A Dancing Journey: AJ on Strictly Come Dancing
AJ Odudu showcased her dancing prowess when she joined the nineteenth series of “Strictly Come Dancing” in September 2021. Paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, the dynamic duo made a memorable mark by topping the leaderboard in their first week with a score of 34. They achieved this feat once more in week 7, where they scored an impressive 39 for their Charleston to “Don’t Bring Lulu.” Despite their impressive journey, the competition took an unexpected turn, forcing AJ to withdraw due to a ligament injury in her right ankle, just one day before the final on December 17.
AJ Odudu’s remarkable career and her recent role as the co-host of the revived Big Brother series mark her as a prominent and beloved figure in the world of British television. As she continues to captivate audiences with her charisma and talent, her star is sure to shine even brighter in the years to come.
