Big Brother's AJ Odudu says Davina McCall gave her 'blessing' after 'falling into deep depression'

AJ Odudu has opened up about her mental health struggles after being axed from one TV job and how she has since bounced back after 'so much rejection'

Big Brother's host, AJ Odudu, has shared that her predecessor, Davina McCall, has given her the "blessing" as the iconic reality TV show prepares for it's comeback.

The 35-year-old Lancashire-born star also candidly spoke about "falling into a deep depression" after being dropped from a television gig and how she managed to bounce back following "so much rejection". In the revealing interview, she reflected on her career progression despite frequently facing online trolling due to her Blackburn accent.

Last year, it was announced that AJ and Will Best would be hosting the 2023 series of Big Brother and its sister show, set to return on ITVX and ITV2 later this year. AJ had previously presented Big Brother's Bit on the Side alongside Rylan Clark and Emma Willis on Channel 5, followed by Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Psych starting from August 2013.

However, AJ's exit from the Big Brother family was confirmed in November 2013, just a few months later, with Celebrity Big Brother 12 contestant and former Loose Women panelist, Carol McGiffin, stepping in to replace the Strictly Come Dancing star on the Channel 5 shows.

During her chat with Grazia magazine, AJ touched upon the low points in her career, expressing pride in herself for persevering in her career despite being in "a really dark place" and "not wanting to get out of bed". She told the magazine: "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."

AJ further revealed: "I fell into a deep depression because TV just wasn't going my way. Five year's ago I was living on my dad's 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."

The gifted presenter also touched upon the highlights of her career, such as securing a presenting role on the ITV reboot of Big Brother - a move that even the show's most renowned host, Davina McCall, endorses. "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,' AJ disclosed."

Davina was the face of Big Brother on Channel 4 from its debut in 2000 until the channel discontinued it after the 11th series and one final special edition, Ultimate Big Brother, which concluded in 2010. Channel 5 swiftly acquired the rights to the format and relaunched Big Brother in 2011, with Emma Willis replacing former contestant Brian Dowling as host until its cancellation in 2018.

Last year, when ITV announced they were reviving Big Brother with AJ at the helm, AJ informed her Instagram followers: "This is not a drill! I'm beyond excited to finally be able to say that, I am hosting Big Brother! I couldn't be more ecstatic to front such an iconic show and to do it alongside my amazing friend @iamwillbest is the icing on the cake. Get ready to be obsessed! Big Brother House, I'm coming to get you! ".

The presenter later confirmed the news in a statement, expressing: "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."

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