[Sawyer]

25/04 UPDATE

ITV and Initial (part of Banijay UK) today confirm the new hosts for the forthcoming series of Big Brother and its companion show - AJ Odudu and Will Best - ahead of the show’s hotly anticipated return to ITVX and ITV2 later this year.

The pair will share the iconic 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. The duo will also host an additional nightly live show debating all the hot topics inside the house.

A TV favourite, AJ has recently co-hosted the acclaimed revival of The Big Breakfast. She has hosted on Comic Relief and as part of the Eurovision family, and is also known to ITV audiences having presented backstage on The Voice UK and The Voice Kids. Close friend and fellow Big Brother superfan Will meanwhile has presenting credits across major broadcasters including Dance, Dance, Dance for ITV as well as other 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 https://www.bigbrother.com/.

AJ 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.”

Will said: “I grew up with Big Brother so getting a chance to host it with my mate AJ is a dream come true. I can't wait to tell some housemates not to swear.”

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.”

Natalka Znak, CEO of Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV, added: “It’s an all-new Big Brother on a new channel and with new hosts. AJ and Will are fresh, with bags of talent, and a real passion for this iconic show. It’s going to be such fun having them at the helm.”

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.



INITIAL REPORTS:

Spoiler:

Big Brother presenters revealed as Strictly legend and Channel 4 star


AJ Odudu will be formally unveiled as the host of Big Brother alongside Will Best in the coming days.

The Strictly Come Dancing star will front the reboot alongside former T4 presenter Will when it returns on ITV2 this autumn.

Will, who presented Dance Dance Dance with Alesha Dixon, will also host the show

AJ, 35, and Will, 38, who previously hosted talent show Dance Dance Dance alongside Alesha Dixon, are thrilled at their pairing.

A source said: “AJ has known since last year the Big Brother job was hers but she’s been waiting for her co-host to be confirmed.

“AJ and Will did a brilliant screen test together and their chemistry was brilliant. It was a no brainer. They are great friends too so to be able to work together is really exciting.

“They could not be more excited about joining forces to bring back Big Brother.

“AJ and Will are going to be formally announced by ITV really soon and they can’t wait to get stuck in.”

The Sun first revealed how AJ was finalising terms of her deal with ITV back in November.

She was chosen out of a legion of stars to host the show and beat off competition from stars including Alison Hammond, Emily Atack and Vick Hope.

The job is a big step-up for AJ, who previously hosted Big Brother’s Bit On The Side in 2013.

Will came to prominence as a presenter on Channel 4’s teen show T4 in 2011 and has presented dating show Love Shaft on E4.

He hosted Dance Dance Dance alongside Alesha Dixon in 2017.
Big Brother will be back on-screen on ITV2 and ITVX this summer – with housemates moving into a brand-new pad in London.

The show first aired as a social experiment on Channel 4 for ten years from July 2000.

Channel 5 later acquired the rights and relaunched the show in 2011.
It was was hosted by former winner Brian Dowling, 43, before Emma Willis, 46, took over presenting duties in 2013.

The last series in 2018 was won by Cameron Cole, 18 — the franchise’s youngest winner.

A spokesman for ITV said: "No talent are currently confirmed for the show and announcements will be made in due course."


It is thought Will will be the spin off host, but not confirmed.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/22068827...will-best/amp/