Big Brother host AJ Odudu might step down from her role after it was reported that the Celebrity version would be rested until 2027.
After ITV confirmed that the spin-off would be moving to sister channel ITV2, earlier this month, insiders revealed that Celebrity Big Brother wouldn’t be returning until 2027, with claims it ‘struggled to attract big-name housemates’.
The show, helmed by co-hosts Will Best and AJ, normally airs over spring each year, which means it will be around two years off the air once it does make a comeback next year.
Meanwhile, the civilian series, which just finished airing in November, will likely return toward the end of this year.
In a statement responding to the spin-off delay rumours, an ITV spokesperson told Metro at the time: ‘We are committed to both Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother beyond 2025, and scheduling for any new series will be confirmed in due course.’
‘The show remains a priority reality format for us, having recently hit 150 million streams on ITVX.’
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Still, with such a huge gap between seasons, a source has now revealed that this could lead to TV presenter AJ bowing out of the show as a whole.
An insider told The Sun: ‘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.’
Either one of them leaving could encourage the other follow them out the door since the source added that when the duo joined in 2023 (2024 for the star-studded spin-off), they ‘very much came as a pair’.
At the Edinburgh TV Festival in 2025, Director of Television Kevin Lygo spoke about the spin off’s future, remaining optimistic despite the challenges.
He said: ‘Celebrity Big Brother we’re looking at. We’re thinking not on the main channel, that’s the answer.
‘It’s so difficult now to book big celebrities, famous people, which is what we need on the main channel. Whereas you can go more interesting and niche on ITV2.
‘We’re in a battle with [production company] Banijay about the price. It does really well for us on ITVX. It’s a really important, crucial show. I love it and it does a tremendous job for us so, yes, it’s coming back.’
AJ has had a longstanding relationship with the hit reality series, first presenting the Big Brother after-show over a decade ago.
She then returned to helm the main show and celebrity spin-off when it was rebooted on ITV in 2023.
Last year, the celebrity version faced several highs and lows from Hollywood star Mickey Rourke being booted out for inappropriate comments to Coronation Street actor Jack Shepherd ultimately being crwoned winner.
Metro has reached out to AJ Odudu’s representatives for comment.
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