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AJ Odudu could QUIT Big Brother after ITV cuts leave show’s future ‘up in the air’
HOST AJ Odudu’s Big Brother future is in doubt as ITV cuts means the show is facing an uncertain future.
The presenter, 37, has the option to leave, after execs confirmed they were resting the celebrity version of the show, due to start this spring, until 2027.
Both she and co-host Will Best, 40, must now wait almost nine months for the regular version to start — and their contracts to front that series have yet to be confirmed by ITV.
The broadcaster would save money with one presenter, as was the case when it was fronted by Davina McCall on Channel 4 or Emma Willis on Channel 5.
A TV insider said: “Both hosts will plan most of their other TV work around fronting Big Brother, but that’s incredibly difficult when so much is up in the air.
“AJ, in particular, will have plenty of offers and usually makes decisions on taking other jobs based on recording dates for BB, as it’s her biggest gig and commitment.
“The uncertainty puts her and Will in a tricky position.
“One of them could still remain on the show as traditionally there has only been one presenter.
“Losing a host would also be a substantial cost saving for ITV.
“But if Will ends up leaving, then AJ may follow him out of the door — as when they signed for the show in 2023 the close mates very much came as a pair.”
The more expensive celebrity version of the show — won last year by Corrie star Jack P Shepherd — has been pushed back to early next year.
It means there will be a two-year gap between the last series and the next one.
The show was shunted from ITV1 to ITV2 after ITV boss Kevin Lygo last year said they were in a battle with producer Endemol about the price.
He added: “It’s so difficult now to book big celebrities, famous people, which is what we need on the main channel.”
ITV also axed the Late And Live spin-off show which took up most of AJ and Will’s airtime when each series was on.
The duo have fronted Big Brother since it was rebooted by ITV three years ago and have presented three series, the last of which aired last September.
ITV and representatives of Will and AJ were asked to comment.
