Main presenters
So who are those lucky few that have wielded the clipboard, donned the talk-back earpiece and whipped out their cue cards to welcome viewers to the Big Breakfast house? Here's Bow Locks rundown, of the fundown...no wait, that's a different item
THE REVIVAL: 2021-Present
Onateiro "AJ" Odudu | 10th September 2021 -
Hailing from Blackburn in Lancashire AJ Odudu is one of eight children. She read English & Politics at Keele University.
Odudu began her career as a reporter for Radio Lancashire. In 2010, she was a guest on 100 Greatest Toys, a one-off special broadcast on Channel 4 and co-presented Sky Arts' coverage of the Isle of Wight Festival 2012.
In June 2013, Odudu began presenting Big Brother's Bit on the Side and then Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Psych from August 2013. Her departure from the show was confirmed in November 2013. From 2015 to 2019, Odudu hosted the 4Music programme, Trending Live!
In July 2021, she won the second series of Celebrity Karaoke Club on ITV2. Also in that month, Odudu was confirmed as co-host of the revival of The Big Breakfast. Her chemistry with Mo was one of the new edition's stregnths and has secured her place as the show continues.
Socials: Twitter | Instagram | TikTok
Mo Gilligan | 10th September 2021 -
Gilligan was born on 19 February 1988 in Lambeth, London to British parents of Jamaican and St. Lucian descent. Mo began his interest in comedy whilst attending a performing arts school in Pimlico. Gilligan was working in retail, when he began uploading comedy videos on his social media accounts. His breakout moment came in 2017, when he was spotted by Canadian rapper Drake, who quoted some of Gilligan's comedy on his Instagram account.
Gilligan currently co-hosts The Big Narstie Show, which debuted 29 June 2018 on Channel 4, with rapper Big Narstie. He then paired up with Claudia Winkleman to compete on the 2018 edition of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year also on Channel 4, which they won.
Mo hosts his own show, The Lateish Show, which debuted 19 July 2019 on Channel 4 and has his own successful comedy special on Netflix, Mo Gilligan: Momentum, was released globally in 190 countries.
Since June 2020, Gilligan has appeared on the second and third series of Celebrity Gogglebox, as well as the Stand Up to Cancer special of Gogglebox alongside comedian Babatunde Aleshe.
In August 2020, it was announced that Gilligan would become a panelist on the second series of The Masked Singer UK and a presenter on the revival of The Big Breakfast. Since his succsessful appearence on the show Mo has gone on to host The Brit Awards and guest on The Cube.
Gilligan is an avid supporter of Arsenal F.C
Socials: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Judi Love | 10th September 2021
When the show returned in 2021 who better to get on the bed than a lady whose home is the same area of London as the Big Breakfast itsself.
Judy Veronica Thomas was born in June 1980 in Hackney to Jamaican parents. She spent the majority of her youth in and around the East London area and studied a degree in Community Arts and Social Science and a Masters in Social Work from the Tavistock Institute. Judi even began her career in comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a module of her studies.
Judi made her professional stage debut with a show titled Laughter Is Healing. In 2020, she began appearing as a panellist on the ITV talk show Loose Women. Following The Big Breakfast Love was announced as a contestant on the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. She was eliminated on 31 October 2021, finishing in tenth place. Judy has also appeared as a contestent on the comedy game show Taskmaster.
It is currently unconfirmed if she will return to The Big Breakfast in 2022.
THE CLASSIC SHOW: 1992-2002
28th September 1992 - 29th September '94
The man that made breakfast and redefined live television for the 90s. Chris's popularity on The Big Breakfast led to success with Don't Forget Your Toothbrush and TFI Friday. After a failed marriage to Billie Piper and an attempt at a TV career relaunch in 2006 with ITV's OFI Sunday, Chris returned to his roots on radio by becoming BBC Radio 2's drivetime host. Chris returned to breakfast in January 2010 when he took over from Terry Wogan on the breakfast show and made it his own. Chris now presents The Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio.
28th September 1992
Along with Chris, Gaby made up the original presenting team.
After leaving The Big Breakfast in 1995 Gaby launched her own chat show on Channel 4 which critics slammed. Since then her career has begun to prosper. She signed with BBC to host a variety of primetime shows including a documentary about Casualty & the Saturday night show Whatever You Want. In 2002 she returned to breakfast television with a magazine show about Wimbledon.
Since leaving Channel Five's Terry & Gaby in 2004 Roslin has focused on her radio career on BBC London & BBC Kent.
Paula Yates 28th September 1992
Daughter of the legendary quiz show host Hughie Green, the original 'On The Bed' host and, of course, wife to Planet 24 founder Bob Geldof. Paula Yates also worked on Planet 24's iconic evening show The Word before being handed The Big Breakfast gig.
Her most infamous moment came when she was lying on the Big Breakfast bed not realizing the camera could see right up her skirt - she was wearing no knickers. Paula slowly disappeared from the show after she split with husband Bob Geldof in the mid 90s. Tragically, Paula died of a drugs overdose on 17th September 2000 and is much missed in the industry.
Zig & Zag
28th September 1992 - 29th March 2002
What can we say about this pair? The loveable Irish aliens from the Planet Zog were The Big Breakfast's longest running hosts. Originally they weren't given a big send off and just slowly faded away. This is a shame considering they have provided some of the funniest moments. The Michael Parkinson interview and of course the Sir Robin Day interview are two. Teaming the duo from the planet Zog with Chris was brilliant and the two never seemed quite as funny when Chris left. Johnny did have some classic moment with them though, the 3 Elivis' and The Beige Album was one. Around 1995 you couldn't escape Zig & Zag, they had puppets, crisps and their own cartoon strip - even releasing two singles (Zem Girls Zem Girls which got to number 5 in December '94 & Hands Up! Hands Up! which got to number 21 in July '95) The running gag of Zig's obsession with Teddy Pugh also caused Chris some annoyance. Their return in 2002 provided the fantastic interview with Johnny Rotten and on the final show Zig revealed he is now a pole dancer.
Danny Baker
Respected radio broadcaster Danny Baker filled In for Chris during his days off for Don't Forget Your Toothbrush in 1994. Danny has had many successful radio & TV shows. In recent times Danny has gone behind the camera to help write and produce TFI Friday and was even Chris Evans' best man during his wedding to Billie Piper. Sad news arrived in November 2010 when Danny announced that he was undergoing treatement for cancer, he's bounced back though and we're pleased to tell you Danny returned to his BBC Radio London show on April 18th 2011.
Mark Little
As Chris's career took off the producers soon realised he may need some time off. Ex Neighbors star Mark Little was brought in twice a week to allow Chris to work on Don't Forget Your Tooth Brush he was a good choice and naturally took over when Chris Left in September 1994.
Mark continued on the show with Gaby and later Zoe. He left at the time of the shows re-launch in 1996 after the press spread many rumours about his arguments with Zoe off air. Mark is now touring with his popular stand up show and regularly guests on shows such as They Think It's All Over, Have I Got News For You and Channel Five's The Wright Stuff..
Lily Savage (aka Paul O'Grady)
Paul O'Grady's brash, extravagent alter-ego Lily Savage arrived like a whirlwind as a replacement for Paula Yates. She had a regular 'Ask Lily' problem slot for viewers to phone in with personal issues before receiving the honour of inheriting Paula's Bed until Vanessa Feltz took over in 1996.
Paul went on to a successful and Bafta winning TV career hosting ITV quiz Blankety Blank, Channel 5's Blind Date and his own chat shows. In 2008 he became an MBE for his services to entertainment and was a passionate advocate for LGBT issues.
More recently Paul quit his long running BBC Radio 2 show in 2023 and was due to launch a new radio slot on the UK's Boom Radio.
Sadly, on the morning of March 29th 2023 news broke that Paul had passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, a great talent in entertainment who will be missed.
Zoe Ball
Zoe's association with the show goes on since the very beginning when she was a researcher for Planet 24 initially on late night show The Word and then for The Big Breakfast in its early days. She left for CBBC but soon came back to the show as Gaby's replacement.
Her first appearance on the show saw her tripping over and falling through glass. Great entrance!
There were many rumours about her arguing with co-presenter Mark Little and she left the show in Summer 1996. Since leaving Zoe has done extremely well for herself by hosting BBC's Live & Kicking and the BBC Radio One breakfast show - directly opposite Chris Evans's Virgin Breakfast show and of course The Big Breakfast! Zoe is daughter of popular Kid's TV presenter Johnny Ball.
Keith Chegwin
Star of Chegger's Plays Pop and Co Host of the Swop Shop Cheggers has had a lot of experience with colourful TV. Keith took the reigns of the OB unit after Mark Lamarr. He was always around in the background of the BB and became the main presenter when Mark Little left.
It was during Keith's stint on the show that the famous Jo Guest nipple-flashing incident occurred. Keith initially left the show in 1997 but made a return to The Big Breakfast on New Year's Eve 1999 hosting an OB link and made a final appearance on The Last Ever Big Breakfast.
Keith passed away in 2017.
Richard Orford
Replaced Mark Little on the Big Breakfast after beginning his career on ITV1's Sunday morning children's show The Disney Club. Sadly his stint as main presenter on The Big Breakfast was a short one. He began in Easter 1996 only to be kicked off in favour of Rick Adams that September. He continued on The Big Breakfast joining the outside broadcast unit on the Down The Doorstep segment and was last seen on the show on New Year's Eve 1999.
Richard Orford is now better known as the voice of 'Living' and the host of Late Night Poker on Channel 4 and Sky Poker.
Rick Adams
2nd September 1996Rick joined the Big Breakfast with Sharon Davies after a successful stint on kids TV channel Nickelodeon. Rick's finest hour came one Monday morning in October 1996 when he was forced to host the show solo as Sharon called in sick hours before going on air.
Rick also committed a famous blunder when he reached out to shake the hand of a blind guest! Perhaps with a bit more time Rick would have been a success - he was quite lively and fitted the show's style. The producers couldn't afford that extra time though as the axe was hanging over the show.
After a two week trial in Summer 1997 Johnny was brought in as Rick's replacement. Rick was relegated to 'Down Your Door Step' and left the show in the winter of 1997. Since leaving the show Rick has gone on to have a successful DJ career.
Sharron Davies
2nd September 1996
Hosted the show from September 1996 when it was re-launched to save falling ratings. The relaunch probably made things worse as the format of the show became less lively and if anything more like 'the other side'. Sharron was of course an Olympic swimmer and a Gladiator! Although her style on the show was similar to Gaby's she failed to capture the same audience. She left in summer 1997 claiming the early morning schedule meant she didn't have enough time with her children. Since leaving Sharron has provided commentary for Olympic swimming on the BBC and took part in the 2010 series of Dancing On Ice.
Vanessa Feltz
2nd September 1996
No insult intended but Vanessa was considered one of the most unpopular presenters on the show. She hosted it from September 1996 taking over from Lily Savage. She hosted the show from 8:45 in a slot similar to Lorraine Kelly's on GMTV featuring daily fashion & make-up tips as well as a celebrity on the bed. In early 1998 there were a lot of rumours of her leaving especially as users of the official Channel 4 Big Breakfast web-forum started a hate campaign (often comparing her to Miss. Piggy!) Eventually she allegedly tipped a plate of beans over the Executive producer after one show protesting that she would never leave.
She left in May 1998. After leaving the Brekkie Vanessa has gone on to become one of the hardest working women in British broadcasting. She famously appeared to have a breakdown in the 2001 Celebrity Big Brother and more recently has landed a daily 'Vanessa Show' on Channel 5. She still hosts a daily radio show on BBC London.
Melanie Sykes Mel was extremely good as a BB presenter. Her Oscar coverage was fantastic and although she mainly presented Snap, Cackle Pop the times when she did get to host the main show were great. In some ways it's a shame she didn't get the gig in Feb 1999 as she seemed to work well with JV, though she also worked well with Den when for one show only (the only time ever) the show was hosted by two females. JV was busy going to see an international Chelsea match. (But still did the Paper Review live from Stanstead Airport) The Big Breakfast was Mel's first big TV gig and she's gone on to have a sucessful career in the decade since leaving. She hosted the daily Des & Mel talkshow on ITV and became the face of Head & Shoulders & Matalan in national advertising. More recently Mel has returned to ITV daytime hosting Let's Do Lunch With Gino & Mel and she also hosts the prime time Missing Millions.
Weather Presenter: September 1996 - Dec '96.
Main Presenter: Jan '96 - Jan '99 & 11th Sept 00 - 12th Jan 01
Princess Denise of Basildon originally started as a weather presenter touring Britain in her chopper. But from Christmas 1996 she was promoted to phone room duties and offering dating services and viewer interaction. Slowly as Sharon left the show Denise took on main presenting duties until Sept 1997 when she was teamed with Johnny Vaughan. Together they boosted ratings and made the brekkie must see TV.
Denise originally left on January 1st 1999 to pursue her own projects including sitcom Babes In The Wood On September 11th 2000 she sensationally returned to The Big Breakfast for a final four months with Vaughan. Her career has been a huge success since The Breakfast. She's become a west-end star in Tell Me On A Sunday and Chicago. On TV she's served on the panel for Any Dream Will Do and most recently has been the narrator for the hugely popular The Only Way Is Essex.
Johnny VaughanGuest Presenter: June 1997. Main Presenter: 3rd September 1997 - 12th January 2000.Responsible for The Big Breakfast's second golden era Vaughny is the man that brought Bulldogs & mutton chops to breakfast. Since leaving the show he's had his own sitcom 'Oribble, and his own chat show Johnny Vaughan Tonight he's now married and has a young daughter Tabitha.
Johnny was hoped to be the face of BBC3 but his shows failed to find an audience. Instead his future was found in radio where he's been the host of the Capital FM Breakfast show since April 19th 2004.
Kelly Brook1st Feb 1999 - Jun '99Only 19 when she was hired as Denise Van Outen's replacement Kelly Brook was slammed by critics for stumbling over difficult words. Rumours circulated of Big Breakfast producers issue memos asking all writers to ensure words were kept simple. It wasn't the show's finest hour. We'll never know the full story but Kelly left for a week's holiday and never returned.
Looking back Kelly was a great host and a good foil to Johnny Vaughan. She was warm, friendly and easy on the eye first thing in the morning. It's a shame that the makers chose to dismiss rather than develop her talents. Since leaving the Big Breakfast Kelly has gone on to have a successful Hollywood career starring in Smallville & Piranha 3D and She's been the face of many advertising campaigns.
8th March 1999 - 29th March 2002
Richard was draughted onto the show on the OB unit following his Blue Peter drugs scandal.
After Paul Tonkinson left he became the final main male presenter and ensured the BB rediscovered its roots and did a fantastic job in the shows final days. Richard moved to the BBC after leaving The Big Breakfast hosting Rent Free & Liquid News. He has also gone on to have a highly successful radio career on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Five Live.
Click on his name for a full bio and interview.
Guest Presenter: Spring 1999
Main Presenter: September 1999 - August 2000
The fact that Liza (or Li-Li as she was known) had been a friend of Johnny's for 11 years led to a fantastic on screen relationship between the pair as BB hosts. Often taking jokes to the limits of taste led to a lot of interference from Channel 4 bosses over what they could say and do. Despite Johnny & Denise being much hailed as the BB dream team many fans actually reguard the JV/LiLi pairing as the finest. Liza first appeared in hit sitcom Watching, and hosted fashion show She's Gotta Have It. Since the BB Liza has starred in the acclaimed BBC series Linda Green.
Donna Air
January 2000 - April 2001
Donna exploded onto TV as an actor in classic CBBC series Byker Grove. Appearing sporadically on the show in 2000, mainly from the phone room, Donna was promoted to one of the three main presenters in January 2001. Occasionally she'd try and drown out Johnny Vaughan with an observation but would be promptly met with cries of 'not now Donna!'
During her time on The Big Breakfast she famously asked sibling-band The Corrs how they met. Following this she played up to her dizzy blonde image by calling her own company Airhead Productions.
Since the demise of The Big Breakfast Donna has featured in the film Still Crazy and The Mummy Returns. More recently she's hosted Channel 5's daily magazine show Live From Studio Five.
Gail Porter
January 2000 - Summer 2000Gail's first appearance on the show was on New Year's Eve 1999 as a guest. She then hosted the On-The-Bed section alternating with Donna Air, did a stint on OB, then moved to Channel 4's Internet show DotComedy.
Since her time on the Big Breakfast Gail has battled with Alopecia. She became Ambassador for the Little Princess Trust and a wonderful, strong role model for children suffering from hairloss. She's continued to appear on TV on shows such as The Wright Stuff & The Gadget Show.
Lisa Rogers
Lisa initially filled in for Liza Tarbuck in May 2000.
Her first role on The Big Breakfast was to host the 'Find Me A Weather Presenter' section in 2000. She impressed the producerso much that in the final 12 months of the show's life Lisa became a 'regular irregular' in the presenters chair and co-hosted the final show.
Her most famous role since leaving Old Ford Lock has been co-presenter on Scrapheap Challenge.
Guest Presenter: June 21st 2000 Main Presenter: Jan 22nd 2001 - April 5th 2001.
Paul, who famously used a hair dryer on his armpits while on the BB to stop sweat marks (APACHE!!) didn't last long. The real reasons behind his departure aren't clear. Was he pushed, or did he quit? Paul's previous work includes Dicing With Debt & The Sunday Show and had appeared once before on The Brekkie when he did an OB to celebrate Prince Williams 18th Birthday.
After leaving the BB he wrote into a national newspaper who'd stated he done 3 months on the BB some of which had been awful. His reply was 'I did 54 Episodes of The Big Breakfast & ALL were terrible.'
Jan 22nd 2001 - March 29th 2002Ex-model and Patrick Kielty's ex-girlfriend Amanda came to The Big Breakfast after serving as presenter on Ireland's top Breakfast show.
She remained a host on The Big Breakfast until its final episode. Since that fateful day Amanda has had a highly successful US TV career on shows such as Paradise Hotel and ETV. She returned to UK TV in January 2009 to host hit BBC gameshow Total Wipeout alongside Richard Hammond.
In 2011 Byram toured with Strictly Come Dancing to present the live shows. She is engaged to former rugby union player Craig McMullen.
Mike 'Squeaky' McLean
Autumn 2000 - 29th March 2002Mike replaced Richard Bacon as Outside Broadcast presenter but also served as guest host on April 6th 2001 & April 27th.
In the final few months of the show Mike became a regular fixture in the house hosting features from the phone room such as 'Lonely Housewives'.
Mike was also responsible for the greatest Outside Broadcast in ages as, on the final Big Breakfast he delivered the BB Millennium Gnome to the Channel 4 HQ emblazoned with a large two-fingered salute. Mike presented the Xfm Manchester Breakfast show between June 2008 - 2009
Roland Rat
Monday 23th July - Friday 27th July 2001 and Monday 17th September Friday 24th Sept 2001
Roland was the first puppet star of the show since the departure of Zig & Zag. (Not counting Richard Bacon's Chirpy) and hosted a daily slot much like The Crunch called Rat TV from the bathroom.
It didn't last long and certainly wasn't the saviour of The Big Breakfast it was meant to be. Rat TV did have one positive effect though - it paved the way for the return of Zig & Zag to Lock keeper's Cottages.
