Inside AJ Odudu’s rocky love life – from virgin romance to cheating heartbreak and ‘years of trauma’
AJ Odudu is back with a bang on mainstream TV, but do you know much about her life off screen?
The 37-year-old Celebrity Big Brother host is currently believed to be single, but she has been open about her dating history in the past.
Not only did AJ once confess to being cheated on by three of her exes, but she also got candid on “chemistry” with her Strictly Come Dancing co-star.
Here, Fabulous takes a closer look at the bubbly host’s rocky love life – from her brief virgin romance to ‘years of trauma’ after an ex-boyfriend’s infidelity…
Strictly spark
Back in 2021, AJ, whose full name is Onatejiro Odudu, starred on the hit BBC competition show Strictly Come Dancing.
Before being forced to pull out of the final after tearing a ligament in her right ankle, AJ hit the headlines for her bond with co-star Kai Widdrington.
The Latin American pro sparked speculation when he was spotted telling AJ “I love you” after their gripping performance inspired by the Bodyguard.
There’s a lot of passion, there’s a lot of chemistry, there’s a lot of romance, it’s thrilling!
AJ Odudu
Following this, AJ spoke out about their chemistry, telling The Sun: “Right, So Kai has not only been teaching me how to dance but he’s been teaching me how to act.
“There’s a lot of passion, there’s a lot of chemistry, there’s a lot of romance, it’s thrilling!”
Despite this, she shared: “And in practice, I could not look at Kai without bursting out into laughter.”
She then added: “But now hopefully come Saturday night, I’m going to look at him eye to eye, look in love and it’s going to be amazing. But it is awkward!”
Despite this, an insider at the time told New magazine that Kai had been helping the TV star to forget her past boy troubles.
The source said: “AJ has been open about her past relationship history. She does find it hard to trust after previous partners cheated on her. But Kai is a really nice guy.
“He’s helping her get over any previous issues. So far he’s ticking all of the boxes.”
Virgin romance
Back in 2018, when the documentary Manhunting With My Mum hit screens, AJ’s connection with a church-goer KC, 34, also found its way into the headlines.
As the pair met up and attempted to get to know each other, KC confessed that he had been saving his virginity for marriage.
The duo adventured on a picnic date in Nigeria when the dreaded sex conversation started, as KC asked: “So have you had sex before? Or are you a chas (chastity) or virgin like me?”
AJ replied: “I’m not chas like you, I don’t have my chastity belt and I’m not regretful of that.”
Who is AJ Odudu?
IF you want to know more about AJ Odudu, we've got you covered...
AJ Odudu was born Onatejiro Odudu on February 12, 1988.
She was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, to Nigerian parents and is one of eight children.
AJ has become one of the most in-demand TV stars in the UK.
AJ graduated from Keele University with a degree in English and politics and then started her career as a reporter for BBC Blast at Radio Lancashire.
Her first presenting role was in 2009 on BBC Two’s The Almost Perfect Guide to Life.
In 2013, she joined Emma Willis and Rylan Clark on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, as well as Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Psych.
She also presented on The Hot Desk from 2015 to 2016, and Manhunting With My Mum in 2018.
In 2020, she appeared in The Chase: Celebrity Special, Bake Off: An Extra Slice, Richard Osman’s House of Games and Don’t Rock The Boat.
In 2021, AJ hosted Apocalypse Wow on ITV2 and a revamp of The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
In 2022, she was brought in as the presenter of The Bridge, alongside adventurer Aldo Kane, and she hosted the revamped Big Breakfast with Mo Gilligan.
In October 2022, she hosted E4’s The Big Blow Out.
She also appeared alongside Rylan Clark when they hosted the Eurovision Handover and Allocation Draw.
AJ also took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2023 alongside Jesy Nelson and Paddy McGuinness, to name a few.
She was announced as the host of the rebooted Big Brother alongside Will Best in 2023.
The pair are back on the box for the return of the new series on Sunday 6, October, with a revamped reality house.
Additionally, she shared: “I would say you’re honest, you are open and I like that. I would like to give this a try.”
But things became even more tense when KC asked AJ if she could teach him a few things “sexually” which soon changed the flow of the conversation completely.
At that point, AJ gave KC the cold shoulder and decided to let him down gently.
Speaking to cameras after the date, AJ admitted: “Having dated guys who just couldn’t keep it in their trousers, KC’s values make him oddly desirable.
“He’s such a nice guy, I genuinely don’t believe that he’d ever cheat on me. That’s so good. That’s so great. That’s what I want.
“But the problem is teaching someone and taking someone’s virginity.
“That’s too much pressure for me and I don’t want to be responsible for it.”
Mystery man in Paris
Also in 2018, the Blackburn lass was speculated to be dating a man named Jordan Wiggin.
AJ was spotted on a trip to Paris with Jordan and even shared a snap with the mystery man online.
Both AJ and Jordan liked a comment asking: “Your man?” which led to rumours they may have been more than just friends.
But despite this, neither confirmed or denied if they were in a relationship.
A holiday fling
Shortly after this in 2019, AJ was introduced to Duke – a 31-year-old mortgage broker from Essex – on The Celebrity First Dates Hotel special.
The single lad had no idea that he would be paired with the drop-dead gorgeous TV host and while the pair initially seemed to hit it off, sparks quickly began to fly as the energy between them intensified.
AJ was beaming by the end of the date, hailing Duke a “10 out of 10”.
Duke was first to announce that he wanted to see AJ again, leaving the bombshell thrilled.
While the rest of their time on the show was not aired, it is believed the loved-up pair did stay on to enjoy their summer of romance together.
Shortly after, posting on social media, AJ described the experience as “so much fun”.
But AJ failed to respond to questions from fans about the future of her romance with Duke, leading many to assume that the relationship didn’t last.
Cheating heartbreak and ‘years of trauma’
Whilst filming for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, AJ shared a heartbreaking confession and revealed that she had been cheated on by three ex-partners.
While she decided not to name any of the culprits, AJ was got candid about the heartbreaking love triangle she didn’t ask to be a part of.
She explained: “I’ve been cheated on by three ex-boyfriends…
“One of them was sleeping with my best friend.”
AJ has since spoken out about suffering “years of trauma” after catching an ex-boyfriend in bed with another woman.
I proceeded to have years of tears and years of trauma away from him
AJ Odudu
She admitted that she originally refused to cry over the shocking betrayal, but struggled to cope with the aftermath as it was so “unexpected.”
Speaking on the How To Fail Podcast, AJ acknowledged that when she discovered her boyfriend being unfaithful, she proceeded to confront the other woman about the affair, before ending the relationship.
She said: “To walk in on that, I was stunned. Seeing that was crazy. I wasn’t hysterical. I didn’t burst into tears or anything like that.
“I just felt in that moment, I need to gather all the information that I can, and I don’t want it from him.
“I want it from her, actually, because weirdly, in that moment, I trusted her more than I trusted him.”
She then continued: “So, I asked her to put her clothes back on and follow me outside and answer all of my questions, how long had this been going on and whatever.
“And then as soon as that happened, I watched her leave and then I packed all my stuff and got a taxi and left.”
AJ added: “However, I proceeded to have years of tears and years of trauma away from him.
“It was like this person had, you know, made out that they love me, they see their future with me and it was completely reciprocated.
“We were, in my mind, building towards a positive future together. He was just someone that I just wouldn’t ever expect to behave in that way.”
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