Television presenter AJ Odudu is set to ring in the new year on Channel 4's The Last Leg of The Year tonight.
Born in Blackburn to Nigerian Parents, the 36-year-old has become a well-known face on the small screen, particularly recognised for presenting Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother.
AJ, whose full name is Onatejiro, has dreamed of working in television since she was a child. "When I was about six years old, I remember saying to my mum: ‘I want to get inside the TV, how do I do it?’" she told The Guardian in 2023.
Despite her desire to enter the industry, she followed the traditional path for many teenagers and attended Keele University, where she studied English and Politics. With her education secured, AJ kickstarted a glittering television career.
Career breakthrough
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ITV)AJ's first media job was as a reporter for BBC Radio Lancashire before transitioning into presenting on BBC Two’s The Almost Perfect Guide to Life.
She maintained her momentum with various presenting stints on the BBC and Channel 4. She landed her breakthrough in 2013 as a co-presenter on Channel 5's Big Brother's Bit on the Side and Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side.
The opportunity allowed her to work alongside TV giants Emma Willis and Rylan Clark. However, she was axed after one year on the show and replaced by former Loose Women star Carol McGiffin.
AJ was devastated, in a 2023 interview with The Times, she expressed: "It more than stung. I cried for months. I was so, so upset. I felt, like, gosh, what am I going to do?"
Over the next ten years, the Blackburn native breathed life into her career with gigs on The Voice UK, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Married At First Sight UK: Afters and a successful run on series 19 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she became a finalist.
In 2023, she triumphed over her Big Brother knockdown by becoming a presenter on ITV2's revival of the reality series, working alongside her friend Will Best.
Famous friends
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Dave Bennett via Getty)With over a decade of experience in the industry, AJ has gained famous pals. The star worked with Love Island presenter Maya Jama and her co-host Will Best on the 4Music series Trending Live!
While the presenters have found fame in different arenas, they continue to support each other on social media and are often pictured together at industry events.
Ahead of his Big brother debut, Will shared a throwback photo of the trio on Instagram with a cheeky caption: "Pic from a few years ago DJ'ing at The Ivy with @ajodudu and @mayajama - just before my career absolutely took off, and theirs sadly stalled.
"Keep plugging away tho guys! With enough hard work and determination, you could catch me one day!"
Responding to the playful post, Maya commented: "Omg I miss youuuuu."
Love life
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Getty Images for the NTA's)AJ has been candid about her past relationships and admitted her exes 'haunted' her for years.
Speaking on the How to Fail podcast with author Elizabeth Day in March, she reflected on her last partner, whom she walked in on while he was cheating. "On that day I was actually at my brother's and I'd had the best time but I was also really excited to go back and see my boyfriend. We'd made all of these plans and I was so excited. He'd not answered his phone, which I thought was unusual."
Describing her reaction when she discovered the betrayal she said: "I was stunned and it was like this person had made out that they loved me and they see their future with me. And it was completely reciprocated; we were, in my mind, building towards a positive future together. [He was] the most nice and genuine person, fun to be around and someone I wouldn't expect to behave in that way."
AJ went on to explain that she took her ex back after a few months but ultimately the relationship did not work out, leading to "years of tears and years of trauma away from him".
Catch Aj Odudu on The Last Leg of The Year tonight at 9pm on Channel 4
English (US) ·