AJ Odudu to host revival of The Big Breakfast after 19 years off air

AJ Odudu has been announced as the host of The Big Breakfast, as the show is set to return after 19 years off air. 

The radio presenter, 33, will present the two-hour special alongside Mo Gilligan, 33, as part of Channel 4’s Black To Front day, set to take place in September.

As part of the initiative, which celebrates Black talent, Sir Trevor McDonald, 81, will front Countdown. 

Exciting: AJ Odudu has been announced as the host of The Big Breakfast as the show is set to return after 19 years off air

AJ will also join newsreader Phil Gayle to film the show, which ran from 1992- 2002,  live from its original East London location, the Lock Keepers’ Cottages.

The television personality said: ‘I absolutely can’t wait to get stuck into The Big Breakfast. It is such an iconic show to be part of and I am buzzing it is finally coming back. 

‘I’m so looking forward to working with Mo and I can’t wait to wake up the nation! I’m thrilled to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front – which quite rightly gives a platform to deserving Black British TV talent across our industry, both on and off-screen. It’s going to be really special.’  

Host: As part of the Black to Front day, set to take place in September, Sir Trevor McDonald, 81, will front Countdown (pictured 2018)

Host: As part of the Black to Front day, set to take place in September, Sir Trevor McDonald, 81, will front Countdown (pictured 2018)

Planned over a year, and working with numerous production partners, Black to Front is part of Channel 4’s on-going commitment to improve Black representation on and off screen.

From breakfast right through to late night, some of Channel 4’s most iconic shows will have Black talent at the forefront offering viewers a new perspective of much-loved programmes.  

On Channel 4’s longest running show, Countdown, broadcaster Sir Trevor will host the iconic quiz show. 

Joining Sir Trevor in the Salford studio will be acclaimed poet and playwright Lemn Sissay OBE who will adjudicate the words from Dictionary Corner and maths prodigy Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE who will bring her arithmetical expertise to the numbers round. 

Throwback: The Big Breakfast first launched in 1992 and Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan presented the show in 1997

Throwback: The Big Breakfast first launched in 1992 and Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan presented the show in 1997

Lemn will be joined in Dictionary Corner by special guest, award-winning journalist & beer sommelier, Marverine Cole. 

Sir Trevor said: ‘I am proud and delighted to be presenting Countdown on this special day; I have always enjoyed watching Countdown, a show that has been around for almost as long as I have.’   

The Big Breakfast first launched in 1992 with Chris Evans as the host, while the likes of Paul Ross, Denise Van Outen, Johnny Vaughan, Gaby Roslin and Kelly Brook all presented the show over the years.  

Channel 4 is also planning to showcase black talent on the likes of Celebrity Gogglebox and Hollyoaks.

However, the broadcaster insisted the event isn’t meant to be a one-off ‘day of eye-catching programming’, but instead it can be a ‘focal point’ to promote ‘on and off screen representation’ well into the future.

Ian Katz, Director of Programmes, added: ‘Channel 4 was created to give voice to underrepresented parts of society and do things which other broadcasters would not, and the Black Takeover qualifies on both counts.

‘It will be much more than a day of eye-catching programming, providing a focal point for our efforts to drive up on and off screen representation and leaving a lasting legacy on the channel and beyond.’

Revival: The radio presenter, 33, will present the two-hour special alongside Mo Gilligan, 33, as part of Channel 4's Black To Front day, set to take place in September (pictured in July)

Revival: The radio presenter, 33, will present the two-hour special alongside Mo Gilligan, 33, as part of Channel 4’s Black To Front day, set to take place in September (pictured in July)