Big Brother makes history with major change to format after 25 years

Big Brother is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best are determined to deliver the most blockbuster series yet.

The duo began hosting the show in 2023 – but already they’ve shown they have the chemistry, quick wit and cool professionalism needed to steer one of TV’s most unpredictable formats. From live eviction chaos to red-hot diary room drama, AJ and Will have handled it all with ease – and a laugh or two along the way.

Now, as Big Brother hits a quarter of a century milestone, the hosts are back with bigger plans, bolder outfits, and even an extra week of reality TV gold.

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Here, AJ and Will chat to new about unpredictable housemates, their backstage rituals, and whether they’d ever sign up as contestants…

Hi! Do you hope for another romance this year like Jordan Sangha and Henry Southan?

Will: We never saw that coming, but it was so sweet to watch. I even joked with my fiancée about wanting to go to their wedding! Sadly, they’ve split now, but it shows how invested we get. If JoJo [Siwa] and Chris [Hughes] don’t last, I genuinely don’t know what I’ll do.

Why is this series of Big Brother so special?

AJ: Because we’re in our 25th year – 25 years of Big Brother –and we get to host it. That’s a huge privilege and honour.

Will: Plus, we’ve got an extra week this year – seven weeks in total – to get to know what will no doubt be our new favourite people to watch. So bring on the housemates, bring on seven weeks, and bring on a happy 25th anniversary to Big Brother!

What’s one change you think viewers will be most excited to see this series?

Will: I think they’ll be happy about the extra week. Last series could easily have gone on longer, so this will be a nice touch. But the exciting thing is, we never really know what’s going to be new. Fans are already buzzing from the trailer and the Big Brother eye reveal.

AJ: And of course, we’re all excited to see the new diary room chair and how the house has been tweaked. Bigger? Smaller? Who knows! But what’s certain is another dynamic and exciting series.

Last year’s final showed such a strong divide between housemates and viewers. What did you make of that?

AJ: It was fascinating – the final two didn’t really get along, but they represented two different factions of the house. Having them on the sofa, giving each other death stares, was incredible to watch. And that’s why the casting always blows my mind – you just never know how people will react in that environment.

Will: Even the housemates themselves learn so much about who they are. That unpredictability is what keeps viewers hooked.

Live TV can be unpredictable. How important is it to have a co-host you can rely on?

Will: It means the world. When we started, there was pressure – this show has such history and such a passionate fan
base. But going into it together alleviated so much of that. For me, the best part of having AJ next to me is that whatever happens, it’ll be fun – we’ll enjoy the madness together.

AJ: Yeah, I echo that. Seven weeks can feel long, but it also flies by. Having Will by my side makes it even better – he’s the friend everyone wishes they had.

Will, you handled Mickey Rourke brilliantly when he grabbed AJ on live TV. How do you prepare for situations like that?

Will: Honestly, I wasn’t sure what Mickey was doing as he entered the house, but I’m always ready to step in and support AJ. Whatever happens, I’ve got her back.

Big Brother can get dramatic or controversial. How do you decide when to lean into the drama and when to step back?

Will: That’s a really good question. People sometimes forget it’s a competition with serious money at stake. As presenters, we can’t show bias or say who we’d vote for, because that could influence the outcome. Our job is to ask the questions viewers want answered, echo their opinions and hold housemates accountable. We’re presenters of the people.

Eviction nights are known for their energy. Do you treat them like a big night out?

AJ: Absolutely. The crowd, the music, the dancing – it’s the closest I’ll ever get to feeling like Beyoncé! The adrenaline is through the roof, and even though it’s 2.5 hours of live TV, it feels like 15 minutes.

If you got to play Big Brother for a day, what tasks would you set?

Will: I’d divide the house – put whoever causes the most ructions in a position of power, and the house alpha at the bottom. Chaos guaranteed.

AJ: And I’d add costumes! There’s nothing funnier than people having a heated argument while dressed as ants or clowns.

If the two of you were housemates, who would cope better?

AJ: Will would be fine. I’ve got loads of siblings, so I’m used to living with lots of people. What would annoy me is people not cleaning up after themselves.

Will: I’d make myself the house cleaner! I’d be polishing and scrubbing 24/7.

How do you prep backstage before live shows?

Will: Lots of photos – mostly of AJ! We say it’s “Cinderella vibes” before the magic wears off.

AJ: Then we do a little ritual: holding hands, hugs and always saying, “Have a great show,” before we walk on. One team, one dream.

Big Brother: Live Launch is on Sunday 28 September at 9pm on ITV2

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