The Big Breakfast FIRST LOOK! Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu take over from Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan to front revamped special
A star-studded line-up has been confirmed to join hosts Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu on the one-off reboot of The Big Breakfast when it airs on Channel 4 on Friday, almost 30 years after its launch.
Pictures of former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ and comedian Mo, both 33, posing at the original Lock Keepers' Cottages by the pool and in the kitchen have been released.
The duo will be joined by the likes of Olympic legend Usain Bolt, screen icon Idris Elba, musician Nile Rodgers and Spice Girl Mel B on the show as part of Channel 4's Black To Front Project on Friday.
![Star power: A star-studded line-up has been confirmed to join hosts Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu, both 33, on the one-off reboot of The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 on Friday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/15/47706405-9973989-image-a-56_1631199024154.jpg)
Star power: A star-studded line-up has been confirmed to join hosts Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu, both 33, on the one-off reboot of The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 on Friday
The morning show last aired on 12 January 2001 with Denise Van Outen, 47, and Johnny Vaughan, 55, as the hosts.
The original anarchic spirit, distinctive energy and unique sense of humour will be reminiscent of the original show and it will be filmed in the original East London location.
Newsreader Phil Gayle, 57, will return as the news anchor and funnywoman Judi Love, 41, will take up the position as the 'On The Bed...' host.
![Blast from the past: The morning show last aired on 12 January 2001 with Denise Van Outen, 47, and Johnny Vaughan, 55, as the hosts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/15/47707021-9973989-image-a-59_1631199417012.jpg)
Blast from the past: The morning show last aired on 12 January 2001 with Denise Van Outen, 47, and Johnny Vaughan, 55, as the hosts
Rapper Big Zuu, 26, will cook up a storm in the kitchen and DJ Melvin Odoom, 40, will pound the streets of the UK in a bid to find a viewer to play for prizes on their doorstep.
Scary Spice Mel B, 46, will appear to give the behind-the-scenes scoop on what to expect on her take on Steph's Packed Lunch, Mel B's Packed Lunch, later on Friday at 12.30pm.
On taking the helm, host Mo said: '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!'
![Making a splash! Pictures of former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ and comedian Mo posing on the original Lock Keepers' Cottages set have been released](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/16/47706417-9973989-image-a-60_1631199705987.jpg)
Making a splash! Pictures of former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ and comedian Mo posing on the original Lock Keepers' Cottages set have been released
AJ added: '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.'
![Strictly business: Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ will be at the helm of the show which is airing as part of Channel 4's Black To Front Project](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/16/47706413-9973989-image-a-61_1631199712007.jpg)
Strictly business: Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ will be at the helm of the show which is airing as part of Channel 4's Black To Front Project
It comes after Denise teased that something's in the pipeline to mark the 30th anniversary of the Channel 4 morning show.
Speaking about the decision to revive it for a one-off special this month as part of Channel 4's Black To Front day, Denise also weighed in on the announcement that AJ Odudu will host alongside Mo Gilligan.
'AJ is a good friend of mine. I'm thrilled she's doing it, she'll be great. And it'll be so nice to watch. It's like a trip down memory lane – back into the old house. I'm not sure what it's like in there now,' Denise said.
![Big names: The likes of Olympic legend Usain Bolt, screen icon Idris Elba, musician Nile Rodgers and Spice Girl Mel B will be making appearances](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/16/47709029-9973989-image-a-62_1631200033350.jpg)
Big names: The likes of Olympic legend Usain Bolt, screen icon Idris Elba, musician Nile Rodgers and Spice Girl Mel B will be making appearances
Asked if she'd ever like to go back, she teased: 'It's the anniversary next year. So there might be something... That's all I'll say!'
Earlier this year, Denise - who hosted the show with Johnny Vaughan - told MailOnline that they were hoping to return.
Denise, who ended her 20-year feud with Johnny during the COVID-19 lockdown, confirmed she's already discussed ideas with her former co-host, saying: 'We've started having conversations. It would be nice to do something to mark the 30th anniversary.
'The original house has so many great memories and it would be amazing if we could return and film there, even though it's been renovated.
'We'd want to see all the old faces return and play some of the old games too. I'm sure the fans would love it and see it as a real nostalgia trip.
'It would be so much fun working with Johnny again on the show which means so much to us both.'
The Big Breakfast airs Friday 10 September at 8am on Channel 4 and All 4.
![Respected: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is set to appear on the one-off special of The Big Breakfast on Friday (pictured 2016)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/09/11/47212929-9936019-Respected_The_Jamaican_sprinter_bid_farewell_to_the_100_metre_tr-a-1_1631183140624.jpg)
Respected: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is set to appear on the one-off special of The Big Breakfast on Friday (pictured 2016)
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