AJ Odudu looks set to helm the Big Brother reboot (Picture: Rex)
AJ Odudu is said to be ‘in final talks’ to present Big Brother on ITV.
There has been plenty of speculation around who could host the rebooted reality show over the past few months, however it seems that bosses have eyed up the 34-year-old star, who previously co-helmed the programme’s spin-off, Bit On The Side.
According to reports, AJ ‘jumped at the opportunity’ as it is a ‘huge boost’ to her growing career.
The source added to The Sun: ‘AJ and ITV are still ironing out details in her contract but she has told a lot of people the job is hers.’
A spokesperson for ITV told Metro.co.uk: ‘All suggestions surrounding the host are speculation at this stage.’
The presenter is said to be in final talks with the broadcaster about hosting the reality series (Picture: Getty)
Although nothing has been officially confirmed just yet, fans are already celebrating the reports.
‘I am absolutely thrilled THRILLED!! with AJ Odudu hosting Big Brother,’ one enthused. ‘The arc of her career is *fantastic* and absolutely this is her perfect place. Plus she’s just absolutely amazing (and a true hardcore fan).’
Former Big Brother star Glyn Wise said: ‘Amazing News!! @AJOdudu is the new Host of #BBUK .
‘I wish you all the best for the show! I’m absolutely thrilled! Your energy & charisma will shine through! Can’t wait for the show to start next year! Excellent choice for @bbuk.’
ITV announced in August that it reviving Big Brother, which aired in the UK for 18 years until 2018.
AJ previously helmed the Big Brother spin off Bit On The Side in 2013 (Picture: Getty)
Addressing the network’s reason for doing so at the Edinburgh TV Festival, the broadcaster’s managing director of media and entertainment described it as the programme that ‘shaped the most television’ after gaining widespread popularity.
He said the forthcoming launch of upcoming streaming platform ITVX, which is expected to replace its on-demand service ITV Hub, was also a reason for Big Brother’s return, alongside the dominance of Love Island in the summer’s TV schedule.
Mr Lygo said: ‘We look at Love Island and we see this extraordinary successful show that defies all the sort of current logic and goes against what people say in that, “Young people don’t watch (linear) television”.
‘And then you think every single night at nine o’clock on ITV2 and on the Hub is this show for eight weeks that more young people watch than they watch anything else.
‘And we should all take great joy in the fact that if you get the right show, they’re going to come and watch it.’
He said he does not think Big Brother’s audience will skew as young because he feels many former viewers will return as they ‘remember it so fondly’.
Mr Lygo described its legacy as this ‘extraordinary thing’ that arguably ‘shaped the most television’ and does not worry about its revival being a risk for the broadcaster.
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Since the news of the show’s return, there’s been a constant torrent of speculation regarding who will front the programme, with people including Maura Higgins, Davina McCall, Alison Hammond and Rylan Clark mentioned among fans as possible contenders.
Emma Willis recently ruled herself out from presenting having helmed the show for five years.
Big Brother is set to return in autumn 2023.
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Fans have described the reports as an ‘excellent choice’.
