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AJ Odudu: Who is the Strictly 2021 contestant and what is she famous for?

Everything you need to know about the TV presenter

Sam Moore
Friday 17 December 2021 05:47 EST
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AJ Odudu performs ‘best dance of the evening’ in Strictly Come Dancing debut

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TV presenter AJ Odudu is one of the finalists on this year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

But the star is “on crutches” after suffering an injury mere days before the final. If she is unable to compete, Odudu will have to withdraw from the competition.

Odudu was born in Blackburn to Nigerian parents and is one of eight children. She English and politics at Keele University.

After graduating, Odudu started as a news reporter for BBC Blast, which was a service aimed at teenagers. She began presenting in 2009 for BBC Two’s The Almost Perfect Guide to Life.

Odudu then moved on to other shows such as Comedy Lab and The 5:19 Show before being a part of Sky Arts’ coverage of the 2012 version of the Isle of Wight Festival.

Her big break came when she was named presenter of Big Brother’s Bit on the Side along with Emma Willis and Rylan Clark-Neal. She was replaced by Carol McGiffin after a year.

Odudu also branched out into writing by penning a blog for Hello magazine. Alongside Vick Hope and Jimmy Hill, Odudu also hosted Trending Live! for 4Music.

She also became a regular presenter on ITV2’S The Hot Desk, a role that has also been held by Maya Jama, Laura Whitmore and Pixie Lott.

Currently, Odudu acts as the backstage presenter on The Voice UK and The Voice Kids.

She also served as co-host alongside Mo Gilligan for the one-off revival of The Big Breakfast.

AJ Odudu
AJ Odudu (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Odudu has also appeared on a number of competition programs including Celebrity Karaoke Club on ITV2 which she won.

She has also made appearances on Richard Osman’s House of Games, The Chase and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday nights on BBC One.

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