AJ Odudu shares sweet message from Davina McCall ahead of hosting Big Brother reboot
The iconic reality show is returning!
Last updated 23rd Aug 2023
Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu has revealed original host Davina McCall has sent her a 'blessing' as she prepares to host the iconic reality TV show when it returns to our screens later this year.
Back in April, it was announced that AJ will present the show alongside Will Best. In a candid interview, the 35-year-old Strictly Come Dancing star also opened up about how far she has come after experiencing 'so much rejection' as well as being targeted by cruel trolls about her Blackburn accent.
AJ previously presented Big Brother's Bit on the Side and Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Psych, but was axed in November 2013.
Speaking to Grazia, AJ shared the reassuring advice that former Big Brother host Davina gave her as she prepares for the role. AJ said: "The Queen herself has given me her blessing. She sent me an amazing video when I got the gig saying, 'you are going to smash it.'"
AJ also said she was 'proud' of herself for persevering with herself after being in 'a really dark place.' She explained: "I've clawed my way back without being horrible, just by working hard and being myself. Back then, I didn't even want to get out of my bed.
"I fell into a deep depression because TV just wasn't going my way. Five years ago I was living on my dad's bedroom floor in a council flat. I was like, 'I don't where you guys think I live and I'm not doing what you guys think.' I felt like a fraud."
In a statement shared when the news of her Big Brother hosting role was announced, AJ said: "I'm so excited to be able to finally 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."
Take a look at what these former Big Brother winners are up to now:
THEN: Craig Phillips
Scouser Craig was the first person to win Big Brother way back in 2000.
NOW: Craig Phillips
After giving his £70,000 prize money to charity, Craig went on to put his building skills to use and appeared a number of TV shows such as 60 minute makeover and Craig's Trade Tips.
In 2011 he hosted a show called Celebrity DIY with Craig Phillips for Home and he also became an ambassador for Ryobi, a hardware manufacturing company. Craig appeared on Channel 5 show Age Gap Millionaire alongside his wife in 2020, and he now does a number of appearances and media work.
Craig is now also a dad of two, being a proud parent to Lennon and Nelly alongside his wife Laura.
THEN: Brian Dowling
Irishman Brian was crowned the winner of Big Brother 2 in 2001, beating the likes of Helen Adams and Paul Clarke.
NOW: Brian Dowling
The show acted as a platform for Brian who has since went on to have an amazing career in TV. Not only did he return to the show in 2010 to win Ultimate Big Brother, Brian later hosted the show for two series, taking over from Davina McCall.
He has since gone on to become a well known TV personality, presenting shows like Sitting on a Fortune and The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
THEN: Kate Lawler
Kate was the first female to win the show when she won Big Brother 3 in 2002.
NOW: Kate Lawler
Kate went on to present a number of TV and Radio shows and even appeared on Celebrity Love Island in 2006. In 2021, Kate welcomed her daughter Noa with her fiancé Martin Bojtos, with the pair going on to get married in June 2022.
Kate started a podcast called Maybe Baby in 2019 and in 2023 she became part of the This Morning competition team.
THEN: Cameron Stout
Cameron won Big Brother in 2003 after receiving over 1.9 million votes. During his time in the Big Brother house Cameron was involved in a swap with the Big Brother Africa house. He swapped places with Big Brother Africa housemate Gaetano Kagwa.
NOW: Cameron Stout
After the show finished, former fish trader Cameron went on to star in a number of pantomimes, as well as landing himself a job with a newspaper.
He has since stayed out of the public eye.
THEN: Nadia Almada
Nadia stole the nation's hearts when she won the show in 2004, becoming the first transgender winner of Big Brother.
NOW: Nadia Almada
As well as the show's former presenter Davina McCall, many BB fans have called Nadia their 'favourite ever winner', despite her causing drama when she returned for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010.
After winning Big Brother, Nadia released a single, appeared on TV shows and even brought out her own fitness DVD.
She now works as a stylist and has expressed major interest in returning to the show which shot her to fame.
THEN: Anthony Hutton
Geordie boy Anthony was a VERY popular winner in 2005, receiving 57.2% of the vote.
NOW: Anthony Hutton
After the show, Anthony enjoyed a number of years of fame, appearing on TV shows and living the showbiz lifestyle.
The Newcastle-born star now lives a normal life as hairdresser and is a proud dad to his son Cruz, alongside his wife Sophie Crosby.
In 2022, Anthony appeared as a guest on Channel 4 show Steph's Packed Lunch.
THEN: Pete Bennett
Pete was the firm favourite throughout Big Brother in 2006 and eventually won with 61.2% of the final vote.
NOW: Pete Bennett
Pete enjoyed a romance with co-star Nikki Grahame in the BB house, but their romance faded out after just six months.
Pete appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2010, where he revealed he was homeless. Since then, Pete has turned his life around and in 2016 set up a cleaning business called Celebriclean.
Pete has now turned his hand to acting and released his own sitcom Green Fingers on Amazon Prime after starring in a number of films.
THEN: Brian Belo
Essex boy Brian Belo was the winner of Big Brother 8 in 2007.
NOW: Brian Belo
Brian enjoyed major success after his stint on the show, landing himself a job on various TV shows. He also returned to the infamous house in 2015 as part of the Time Warp twist.
Brian now keeps himself out of the spotlight.
THEN: Rachel Rice
School teacher Rachel won the show in 2008.
NOW: Rachel Rice
After her successful stint on Big Brother, Rachel returned to teaching and is now a fully qualified teacher at a Comprehensive School in Wales.
THEN: Sophie Reade
Despite being made to change her name to 'DogFace' as part of a task, Sophie won the show in 2009, winning the prize fund of £71,320.
NOW: Sophie Reade
Since then, Sophie has continued with her modelling career, appearing in a number of different publications including Playboy. She also has an Only Fans account.
THEN: Josie Gibson
Josie won Big Brother in 2010 and later appeared on Ultimate Big Brother later in the year.
NOW: Josie Gibson
Despite splitting from fellow contestant John James Parton, Josie went on to have a mega successful career, landing herself fitness DVDs, TV presenting gigs and her very own TV show.
In 2019, Josie welcomed her first child, a baby boy called Reggie-James.
The star is now part of the This Morning family and often co-presents the show when Ben and Cat are on holiday.
THEN: Luke Anderson
Luke won the 13th series of Big Brother in 2012.
NOW: Luke Anderson
After winning the show, Luke quit showbiz and is now a head chef at a hotel.
THEN: Sam Evans
Welsh boy Sam won Big Brother 14 in 2013.
NOW: Sam Evans
After his victory, Sam, who was born with 70-80% hearing loss, announced that he intended to return to work in Debenhams.
Sam now stays out of the spotlight.
THEN: Helen Wood
Perhaps one of the most surprising victories in Big Brother history, but in 2014, Helen Wood was crowned the winner of Big Brother.
NOW: Helen Wood
With her loud personality, Helen has since appeared on a number of TV shows and most recently was involved in a debate on Good Morning Britain, back in 2020.
She has since left the public eye.
THEN: Chloe Wilburn
Chloe won Big Brother in 2015.
NOW: Chloe Wilburn
After winning the show, Chloe decided to return to normal life. She is now married and has a son.
THEN: Jason Burill
Despite threatening to leave the house on numerous occasions, Jason won the 17th series of Big Brother in 2016.
NOW: Jason Burill
Since then, Jason has focused his attention on property developing and described himself on Instagram as an 'Philanthropist/Actor/Businessman'.
THEN: Isabelle Warburton
Isabelle was crowned winner of Big Brother in 2017.
NOW: Isabelle Warburton
Isabelle now has over 75k followers on Instagram, making money from promotional deals on social media.
Isabelle also now owns her very own beauty salon and she's a mum to two children with her partner Mike Chung.
THEN: Cameron Cole
Cameron became the last ever Big Brother winner in 2018 and he was only 18 at the time.
NOW: Cameron Cole
Cameron now has over 25k Instagram followers and has launched his own podcast on Spotify, which is described as: 'explicitly humorous podcast covering news affairs, pop culture, personal revelations & outlooks.'
2023: Jordan Sangha
26-year-old lawyer Jordan Sangha was crowned the first ever winner of ITV/STV's rebooted series of Big Brother! Jordan won the show ahead of finalists Yinrun, Henry, Jordan, Olivia, and Noky, with an impressive 37.8% of the vote.
After striking up a relationship with the Henry on the show, the pair are still together now!
2024: Ali Bromley
Ali won the 2024 series of the show with a huge 51.9% of the final vote. She was crowned the winner ahead of finalists Marcelo, Emma, Hanah, Nathan and Segun.
Davina hosted Big Brother on Channel 4 between 2000 and 2010. The show moved to Channel 5 in 2011, where Brian Dowling hosted until 2013. Emma Willis then hosted the show until 2018, when it was last aired.
Big Brother will be coming to ITV later this year.
Now read:
ITV confirm Big Brother will return in 2023
New Big Brother eye revealed as bosses tease start date
Here's what all of the past Big Brother winners are doing now