October 6th 2024.
AJ Odudu has truly made a name for herself in the world of television. But her journey to the top was not an easy one. It took time and perseverance for her to reach the level of success she has today. Alongside her close friend Will Best, the 39-year-old presenter is set to start hosting the second series of Big Brother on ITV tonight. Fans can rest assured that the original reality show is in safe hands with AJ at the helm. She has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to be a successful host.
Despite her natural charisma, beautiful accent, humor, impeccable fashion sense, and sparkling personality, things weren't always easy for AJ. It took one defining moment in her career to change everything for the better. And that moment came in the form of a memorable appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. Let's take a closer look at exactly how AJ catapulted herself to stardom with some impressive kicks and flicks.
But before we dive into AJ's rise to fame, let's take a moment to join Metro's Strictly community on WhatsApp. Want to be the first to get all the latest news and rumors from the Strictly dancefloor? Simply click on the link and join our group to stay updated on all the behind-the-scenes gossip about your favorite pros, judges, and celebrities. Don't forget to turn on notifications so you don't miss any spoilers. Keep dancing!
AJ's first job was on The Almost Perfect Guide to Life with Reggie Yates. Born Onatejiro Odudu, AJ was the second youngest of eight children to James, a bus conductor, and Florence, a seamstress, cleaner, and dinner lady. Growing up in a three-bedroom house in Blackburn, AJ discovered her love for performing at a young age. "When I was about six years old, I remember saying to my mom: 'I want to get inside the TV, how do I do it?'" she recalled in an interview with The Guardian. It was clear from an early age that she had a passion for entertaining and making people feel happy.
After studying English and politics at Keele University, AJ set out to make her dream a reality. She started working as a reporter on BBC Radio Lancashire before landing her first presenting gig on BBC Two's The Almost Perfect Guide to Life in 2009. In the six episodes, AJ and Reggie Yates shared a guide on everything teenagers want to know but are too afraid to ask.
Despite her potential, AJ continued to appear on smaller shows such as Channel 4's Comedy Lab and Sky's coverage of the Isle of Wight Festival in 2012, all while living in London. However, she faced a common issue in the industry - being told to get rid of her Lancashire accent to land more work. But AJ's mother, Florence, always encouraged her to embrace her Nigerian accent, saying, "You're from where you're from, and that's a part of who you are." In an interview with Lorraine, AJ reflected on how people can judge you based on how you sound or look.
But things were about to change for AJ in a big way. In 2013, she was chosen as one of the presenters for Big Brother's Bit on the Side on Channel 5, alongside Rylan Clark and Emma Willis. It seemed like her big break had finally arrived. However, after just one year, she was axed from the lineup and replaced by Carol McGiffin. AJ described it as a devastating blow and admits she cried for months. At the same time, she also found out that her boyfriend at the time was cheating on her, making the whole situation even more tragic.
But AJ's resilience and determination led her to switch gears. During this unexpected break from television, she retrained as a personal trainer, started a fitness blog, and launched a YouTube channel. This new passion helped her to get her "mojo" back and stay positive during a difficult time.
And then, in a twist of fate, AJ landed a spot on the BBC juggernaut, Strictly Come Dancing. This was her chance to show the world what she was made of. While she consistently impressed on the dance floor, it was also her personality and charisma that left a lasting impression. Her likeability and dance talent earned her a spot in the final three, but unfortunately, an ankle injury forced her to withdraw from the competition.
But Strictly Come Dancing was just the beginning of AJ's rise to stardom. She continued to take on various hosting roles, including a gig on The Voice and a documentary called Manhunting with My Mum. She also appeared on shows like Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Great British Bake Off, which made her more recognizable to audiences. However, it was her appearance on Strictly that really helped her break into the mainstream.
Now, AJ has come full circle and finally landed the ultimate job - hosting Big Brother. It's a remarkable achievement for someone who was once turned away from the franchise. More than 2.5 million viewers tuned in to watch AJ and Will on the launch show, and she received high praise for her performance. Her catchphrases, "Helloooooo" and "Please do not swuuuuuur," have become synonymous with the revived format, proving that her accent is now an asset. AJ's journey has come full circle, and she couldn't be happier. "I feel comfortable, happy, and content. I'm just enjoying every single little thing," she says.
Tune in tonight on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm to watch AJ in action on Big Brother. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, don't hesitate to get in touch with our entertainment team. We'd love to hear from you!
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