AJ Ododu shares ‘blessing’ from Davina McCall as she hosts Big Brother reboot and recalls ‘falling into a deep depression’ following BBBOTS axe
AJ Ododu has shared the ‘blessing’ she received from ‘Big Brother Queen’ Davina McCall as it was announced she would be hosting the reboot.
The Strictly star, 35, reflected on her career and set backs in a new interview in which she also recalled ‘falling into a deep depression’ after being axed from Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
Saying that she has now ‘clawed her way back’ after ‘so much rejection,’ AJ reflected on how far she has come.
The former T4 presenter will front the reality show when it returns to screens on ITV2 this Autumn after previously being dropped from the spin-off and trolled over her Blackburn accent in 2013.
Speaking to Grazia magazine this week, AJ shared the reassuring advice she received from Davina as she prepares to return.
Amazing: AJ Ododu, 35, has shared the ‘blessing’ she received from ‘Big Brother Queen’ Davina McCall as it was announced she would be hosting the reboot
‘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,”‘ she explained.
AJ said she was ‘proud’ of her come back after being in ‘a really dark place’ and ‘not wanting to get out of bed.’
She admitted: ‘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 year’s ago I was living on my dads bedroom floor in a council flat. I was like “I don’t live where you guys think I live and I’m not doing what you guys think.” I felt like a fraud.’
AJ and Will Best were announced as the hosts of the brand new Big Brother reboot in April.
They will share the iconic main role as well as an additional nightly live show, debating all the hot topics inside the house.
A source told MailOnline: ‘They have genuine real chemistry and it was an absolute no brainer when they screen tested.’
Speaking about her new role, AJ said: ‘I’m so excited to finally be able to say that, yes: I’m hosting Big Brother! I couldn’t be happier.’
Icon: ‘The Queen herself has given me her blessing. She sent me an amazing video saying “you are going to smash it,”‘ AJ explained (Davina pictured on the show in 2002)
Dropped: The Strictly star reflected on her career and set backs in a new interview in which she also recalled ‘falling into a deep depression’ after being axed from Big Brother’s Bit On The Side (pictured alongside Emma Willis and Rylan Clark in 2013)
Return: AJ said she was ‘proud’ of her come back after being in ‘a really dark place’ and ‘not wanting to get out of bed’ (pictured with co-host Will Best)
She added: ‘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.’
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, AJ explained she has ‘grafted’ for the last 15 years for big opportunities.
Lorraine asked AJ: ‘Your name is in the ring for a lot of things. It wasn’t always like that though was it?’
AJ responded: ‘I have been grafting away for a long time. 15 years. It is so amazing to not only have shows like the big interiors battle but to have my name tipped for anything is incredible.’
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