Usain Bolt, Idris Elba, Nile Rodgers, Eve, Mel B, Judi Love, Munya Chawawa and Krept & Konan among the all-star line-up confirmed for The Big Breakfast

9 September 2021

BAFTA award-winning Mo Gilligan and presenter AJ Odudu will be joined by an all-star celebrity line up as Channel 4’s seminal breakfast entertainment show, The Big Breakfast, returns to screens on Friday at 8am for the Black to Front Project, almost 30 years after first launching.

 

Olympic legend Usain Bolt, music hero Nile Rodgers, smash hit singer-songwriter Eve, acting icon Idris Elba, musicians Krept & Konan and Tokyo 2020 medallists Emily Campbell and Kye White will join The Big Breakfast as the show comes live from its original East London location, the Lock Keeper’s Cottages.

 

With its original anarchic spirit, distinctive energy and unique sense of humour reimagined through an unashamedly Black British lens, the two hour special will also see newsreader Phil Gayle return to read the news, Judi Love assuming her position as our On The Bed host, Big Zuu cooking up a storm in the kitchen, and Melvin Odoom pounding the streets of the UK where one viewer will be playing for prizes on their doorstep. Pop icon Mel B will be giving the behind-the-scenes scoop on what to expect when she takes over the airwaves for Mel B’s Packed Lunch at 12:30pm. The Receipts Podcast trio, Tolly, Audrey and Milena, will be answering a host of dilemmas, Munya Chawawa’s alter ego, Barty Crease, will offer the alternative news and there will be cameo appearances from EastEnders’ own Winston (Ulric Browne) and Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran.

 

There will be fresh new features alongside some nostalgic Big Breakfast classics including Family of the Week, Super Hints, One Lump or Two and Don’t Phone, It’s Just For Fun plus more famous names and surprise guests popping by for games, music and chat.

 

Mo Gilligan: "Like so many of us, I loved The Big Breakfast and I am so grateful to be asked to host this special event, particularly as part of such a hugely thrilling and history making day for British television!"

 

AJ Odudu: “I absolutely can’t wait to get stuck into The Big Breakfast. It is such an iconic show to be part of and I am buzzing it is finally coming back! I’m so looking forward to working with Mo and I can’t wait to wake up the nation! I’m thrilled to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front Project – which quite rightly gives a platform to deserving Black British TV talent across our industry, both on and off-screen. It’s going to be really special.”

 

Melvin Odoom: “The Big Breakfast inspired me, and I’m sure many more of us in the industry, to get into TV back in the day. With its colourful chaos in the mornings, it looked like the most fun job in the world, so it’s a real dream come true to be part of the squad bringing the show back and giving it our own flavour. I’m really proud to be part of Channel 4’s Black to Front Project, which we hope will inspire another generation of TV talent on and off-screen.”

 

The Big Breakfast is a Lifted Entertainment production. The Executive Producer is Luke McFarlane and the Series Producer is Rina Dayalji.

 

Press contacts:

Lesley Land and Nick Walker, Channel 4 Press Office

 

Notes to Editors:

 

The Black to Front Project is part of Channel 4’s ongoing commitment as an anti-racist organisation to improve Black representation on and off screen and drive long-term change in the industry. 

 

On September 10th, Channel 4 will host an entire day featuring some of Channel 4’s biggest flagship shows – such as Celebrity Gogglebox, Countdown and Channel 4 News – all with Black talent and contributors at the forefront.

 

To ensure the Black to Front Project leaves a lasting legacy off-screen, Channel 4 has worked with production partners and The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity to make meaningful commitments addressing specific challenges, barriers and issues identified in the industry. Read more about that here.