AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation

AJ and Vernon are helping 10 hopefuls win a design job at M&S (Image: itv) Marks and Spencer unveil their 2022 Christmas advert

EXCLUSIVE

TV presenter AJ Odudu has gone from shop floor to prime-time stardom after landing a gig to present a new talent show revolving around Marks & Spencer.

Called M&S: Dress The Nation, Odudu is helping to find the high street chain’s new top designer from 10 hopefuls.

“I literally used to work in M&S on the high street of Blackburn town centre, so I am having a real full circle moment with all of those things combined."

She added: “I also love that it is sponsored by M&S!”

AJ, 36, who co-presents with Radio 2’s Vernon Kay, has had a relatively long struggle to present on telly.

A qualified personal trainer, her big break came in 2021 when she was paired with Kai Widdrington in Strictly Come Dancing.

Alas, injury forced her out of the final.

But she then went on to present the ITV revival of Big Brother alongside Will Best.

Dress the Nation is now her third big prime time show.

“I just know how difficult it is to get into the industry that I am in, and I know that fashion is no different, so I was really drawn to the prize.

“It is a life changing prize and it is amazing!”

Her success has led to more invites on to the red carpet for premieres, which have challenges of their own, she revealed.

“Oh my gosh, I’ve had so many fashion fails! When I went to my first premiere, I was wearing this polyester neon yellow backless t-shirt with no jewellery, no makeup, just hair scraped back.

“I even went on a date in that outfit!

“I also went to another premiere and I got this two-piece which was yellow and chequered.

“It was giving Clueless meets Bananaman vibes. What was I thinking?”

M&S: Dress The Nation starts on ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday 17 September at 8pm.

Meet the new hopefuls in Dress the Nation (Image: itv) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation

AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation

AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation

AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation

AJ Odudu lands prime-time role presenting new talent show M&S Dress The Nation