ITV and Initial (part of Banijay UK) have confirmed that former Radio Lancashire reporter and Blackburn native AJ Odudu will host the forthcoming return of Big Brother and its companion show to ITVX and ITV2 later this year.
Odudu, who has previously acted as a host on Channel 5’s take on the Big Brother format and can currently be seen hosting Channel 4’s Big Interiors Battle, will be joined as host by Will Best. The pair will share the hosting role on the main show, presiding over the weekly evictions and quizzing housemates on all of the goings on in the world’s most famous house. They will also host an additional nightly live show debating all the hot topics inside the house.
Odudu has also recently co-hosted the acclaimed revival of The Big Breakfast, hosted on Comic Relief and as part of the Eurovision family, and is also known to ITV audiences for presenting backstage on The Voice UK and The Voice Kids.
Close friend and fellow Big Brother fan Best, meanwhile, has presenting credits across major broadcasters including Dance, Dance, Dance for ITV and projects for E4, T4 and BBC Three.
Big Brother is produced by Initial. Launching in 2023, a cast of house mates will be taking up residence in the legendary TV habitat for up to six weeks, with cameras capturing their every move, and the nation following every twist and turn. Casting for the show is ongoing, with wannabe house mates invited to apply via the dedicated Big Brother website.
Odudu said: “I’m so excited to finally be able to say that, yes: I’m hosting Big Brother! I couldn’t be happier. Following in the footsteps of some of my favourite broadcasting legends to front such an iconic show is an absolute honour – and to do it alongside my amazing friend Will is the icing on the cake.”
Paul Mortimer, director of reality commissioning for ITV2 and ITVX, said: “AJ and Will really are our perfect pairing as we prepare to reintroduce Big Brother to the next generation. With a genuine chemistry, both of them will bring effortless wit, charm and heaps of character to their roles and we’re delighted to be working with them both again.”
Big Brother is commissioned for ITV2 and ITVX by Paul Mortimer, director of reality commissioning & acquisitions and controller, ITV2, ITVBe & CITV, and Peter Tierney, commissioning editor – reality. Katy Manley is MD of Initial and Tamsin Dodgson is creative director for Big Brother. Big Brother is one of a number of major format commissions secured by leading entertainment and format producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe since joining Banijay last year.
