AFTER two decades off the air, Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast will burst back onto our screens later this year – and Blackburn’s AJ Odudu is hosting.

Channel 4’s seminal morning entertainment will air over four weeks on Saturday mornings.

BAFTA award-winning comedian Mo Gilligan and broadcaster AJ Odudu will reunite as hosts, reprising their Royal Television Society award-winning partnership on the show they hosted together for the Black to Front Project one-off special in September last year.

When it comes to breakfast telly, The Big Breakfast defies the rules, Channel 4 said.

With its "original riotous spirit and joyful energy" the live two and a half hour show will see Mo and AJ joined bright and early by guests to dissect the hot topics of the day.

AJ Odudu said: “There really is nothing like The Big Breakfast on our screens.

"I loved hosting it last year and I am looking forward to being back at the house to kick off summer weekends on this now award-winning show.”

Mo Gilligan added: "I love being part of this incredible history making show.

"The whole team are so spectacular, and I have so much fun working with AJ - she’s one of the best in the business. And now a live summer series? LET’S GO!" 

Channel 4’s Head of Entertainment and Events, Phil Harris, said: “Mo and AJ both have their own big primetime entertainment shows on Channel 4 with The Lateish Show and The Bridge, so it’s really exciting to be able to harness their combined power and brilliant chemistry to smash into the morning schedules once again.”

Lee McNicholas, Creative Director at Lifted Entertainment, added: "Bringing the Big Breakfast back with a bang last year was a real joy for all the team working on the show and RTS recognising the programme as best Entertainment show and Mo and AJ as Best Presenters was the icing on the cake.

"We're so excited to get the team together and bring the show back."

Channel 4 Senior Commissioning Editor, Vivienne Molokwu, said: ”I genuinely believe the Black To Front Project unearthed one of the best presenting double acts telly has seen in sometime in bringing Mo and AJ together for The Big Breakfast, so it’s absolutely no surprise we’re reuniting them for more early morning madness and making them a regular staple of our summer schedule.”

The original Big Breakfast aired from 1992 – 2002 and was presented by the likes of Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin.

Zig and Zag were a popular puppet duo of the show, performed by Ciaran Morrison and Mick O'Hara. The characters are a pair of furry extra-terrestrial twins from the planet Zog.

The Big Breakfast has been commissioned for Channel 4 by Senior Commissioning Editor, Vivienne Molokwu with Channel 4’s Head of Entertainment and Events, Phil Harris.

The Big Breakfast is produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios. Executive producers for Lifted Entertainment are Luke McFarlane and Rina Dayalji.