East Lancashire presenter, AJ Odudu, has been awarded for her presenting work at this week's Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards.

A hit Channel 4 show, that was filmed in Darwen, also came home victorious. 

Alongside comedian, Mo Gilligan, AJ took home the entertainment performance award for The Big Breakfast, which they hosted together in September 2021.

The duo beat comedian Rosie Jones (Trip Hazard) and Victoria Coren-Mitchell (Only Connect) to win the gong.

Judges described AJ and Mo’s presenting style as “playful and generous, funny and warm”.

The show itself also scooped an entertainment award, beating Dave’s Big Zuu's Big Eats and ITV’s The Masked Singer.

Posting to Instagram, AJ said she couldn’t be prouder of the show.

She said: “We won two @royaltelevisionsociety awards last night for The Big Breakfast.

“I couldn't be more happy and proud of the show we created, the incredible team @lifted_entertainment and the most supportive, talented and dedicated co-pilot I could ask for, Mo. Thank you all for making this dream a reality!”

Immediately, after being presented the award at the ceremony, AJ said she was “over the moon”.

 

 

She said: “I can’t believe it. To win an award for a show that I essentially grew up watching is the best – I feel great."

Mo Gilligan also had some kind words for AJ. 

He said: “[AJ] is absolutely incredible and one of the best in the business.

“She deserves to front her own show and she is one of the best people I have worked with.”

The Big Breakfast was a staple of the channel’s morning schedule from 1992 to 2002.

In this one off special, which aired last year as part of Channel 4’s Black To Front project, big name celebrities featured including Usain Bolt, Idris Elba, Nile Rodgers and more.

The RTS’ prestigious Judges Award went to Strictly Come Dancing 2021, of which AJ was a finalist.

The judges said: “This year the recipient of this prestigious honour is a television series which broke new ground in 2021.

“That’s an extraordinary achievement in itself, given that it’s by far the most popular entertainment show on British television, and now in its nineteenth season. 

“In the series last Autumn, Strictly Come Dancing’s producers created two new milestones - both of them as a consequence of the inclusive casting policy that’s become one of the show’s many defining hallmarks.

“What a tremendous series it was.”

Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, which was filmed in Darwen, also came home victorious at the awards.

 

 

The show took home three prizes, including best limited series and best drama writer for its creator Russell T Davies.

The show’s star Callum Scott Howells won the best actor award, having fended off co-star Olly Alexander.

Crews for the show, originally titled Boys, filmed at a house on Joseph Street in Darwen in 2020.

Location scouts had been touring the estate beyond St Peter’s Church in the town for some time before making the decision.

Key scenes were also filmed in Le Mans Crescent, in Bolton, and Bolton School, which doubled up as Palace of Westminster.

It has been praised for its candid view of the impact of the disease on the young men during the period.

Chair of the RTS Programme Awards Kenton Allen said the return of the in-person ceremony was “a truly remarkable moment.”

“All of tonight’s winners are fantastic examples of the outstanding content that has been produced in the UK and has resonated with audiences not only here but globally,” he said.

“A huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and nominees; it’s a wonderful chance to recognise the creative and hardworking people behind British television.”

See a full list of winners on this website: www.rts.org.uk/award/programme2022