PUT THE FLAGS OUT
As the UK hosts the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, opening show co-presenter AJ Odudu extends a warm welcome
Presenter AJ Odudu is suffering from a severe case of Eurovision fever. And after chatting to her about hosting tonight’s star-studded outdoor extravaganza The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome – with highlights shown on Eurovision Welcomes The World – we reckon we’ve caught a hefty dose of it too!
As she and co-presenter Joel Dommett prepare to welcome the likes of Atomic Kitten, Conchita Wurst, Shirley Ballas, The Vivienne and a newly reunited Frankie Goes To Hollywood to the stage outside Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, the TV star, 35, tells us why it’s an honour to be invited to host and shares her childhood memories of the show…
How does it feel to be part of this year’s Eurovision celebrations?
Buzzing! I was thinking, “Guys, when am I going to be invited to some sort of Eurovision party?” and they were like, “You’re going to be hosting one!” It’s such a huge honour. We’re hosting on behalf of Ukraine, so we’re welcoming our Ukrainian family.
You’re co-hosting with Joel Dommett, who’s as full of
beans as you are. Will you manage to get a word in?
Ha! Do you know what? Me and Joel go way back and we most recently hosted Comic Relief together, so I know I can squeeze in a word or two with him. Bring it on!
Shirley Ballas, who judged you when you took part in Strictly in 2021, is performing. How will it feel to reunite with her?
I can’t wait! Obviously, I’m not going to be judging her or getting out my score paddles, but it’ll be fun to see her in a different light.
Have you listened to any of the Eurovision performers’ songs yet?
No. I love the suspense. I’m like, “What are you going to whack me with on the night?”, because I like to see it all come together. I like to wait.
What did a typical Eurovision party look like in the Odudu household when you were growing up?
Pandemonium! Some people would be shushing, some people would be like, “I don’t know what they’re saying!” It would be so fun trying to mimic the Spanish acts but not actually knowing a word of Spanish. As a little kid, I can’t even believe I stayed up so late. I’ve always loved the mayhem of it – the costumes, the spectacle.
Did you still love Eurovision as you got older?
At university, that was the night where all the international students would come together in the Student Union and every time you’d hear “douze points” you had to have a shot. The university years of Eurovision were messy!