AJ Odudu has been a regular on our TV screens for over a decade, having fronted TV shows including The Big Breakfast, Married At First Sight: Afters and The Big Interiors Battle.
She’s now back at the helm of Celebrity Big Brother alongside co-host Will Best, with a new series launching on Monday, 7th April on ITV1. It marks the second series of CBB AJ and Will have fronted, after ITV rebooted the hit reality TV show in 2024.
As AJ returns to TV screens, here we take a look at the presenter’s life away from the cameras, including her love life…
AJ, 37, real name Onatejiro Odudu, hails from Blackburn. She was born to Nigerian parents Florence and James and is one of eight children; she has five brothers and two sisters.
AJ is known for her strong accent, but she’s admitted it initially held her back. Speaking to Stylist, she said: “I’ve been in London for 14 years, and let me tell you when I first moved from Blackburn 14 years ago, this was not the accent to have.”
The TV star has a degree in English and politics, having graduated from Keele University in 2009. She began her career at BBC Lancashire shortly after, which led to her landing presenting roles at BBC Two and other channels.
AJ’s big break came in 2013 when she began hosting Big Brother’s Bit On The Side alongside Emma Willis and Rylan Clark. She’s gone on to front shows such as The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon, The Big Breakfast and been involved with coverage of Eurovision and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
It is reported that her work as earned her an estimated net worth of £1.2million.
Away from presenting, AJ has also appeared on TV shows, including Strictly Come Dancing. She made it to the final on the BBC One show, but sadly had to pull out due to an injury.
While competing on the dance show, she was rumoured to be dating her dance partner Kai Widdrington, but this was never confirmed.
AJ’s current relationship status is unknown as the star tends to keep her private life out of the spotlight, however she has opened up about her past relationships on occasion.
Speaking on Manhunting With My Mum in 2018, AJ said: “All my past relationships have gone wrong. Dating apps have failed to deliver. I’ve had loads of failed relationships. Sometimes I’m just too much for them, other times they are not enough for me – and a couple of times I’ve been cheated on.”
Going into more detail on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2019, she added: “I’ve been cheated on by three ex-boyfriends. One of them was sleeping with my best friends.”
AJ now resides in London and is also a qualified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, with a passion for running.