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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Alan Johnson

Denise Van Outen to appear on The Big Breakfast to hand over presenting reins

Denise Van Outen is set to make a sensational return to The Big Breakfast house - albeit briefly - when the Channel 4 show returns for a regular slot on our screens for the first time in more than 20 years.

The 48-year-old, who presented the show in its heyday alongside Johnny Vaughan between 1997 and 2001, will officially hand over the reins to new presenters Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu this weekend.

Ahead of her emotional return, the star told the Sun : "I spent some of the happiest times of my career on The Big Breakfast and I’m so excited to be popping in to see the brilliant AJ and Mo for the first show of the new series. I can’t think of a better way to kick-start my Saturday."

Stand-up comedian Mo, 34 and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ, also 34, will host the rebooted programme for four Saturday episodes throughout the summer.

Denise Van Outen presented The Big Breakfast alongside Johnny Vaughan in 1998 (PA)

The pair co-presented a one-off special last year from the show's original Lockkeepers Cottages set as part of Channel 4's 'Black To Front' event championing black British talent, which the broadcaster's bosses deemed to be a huge success.

Mo and AJ will be joined by Judi Love of Loose Women fame and BBC Radio 1 DJ Melvin Odoom.

Discussing the show's comeback a source told the Sun: "There is still so much life left in the Big Breakfast formula, as AJ and Mo proved in 2021. Everyone at Channel 4 is really excited about what they can bring to the format.

AJ Odudu and Mo Gilligan will host the new edition (PA)

"Having show legend Denise there to christen the new chapter is the icing on the cake — or should I say, the bacon on the bap."

After a horrible start to the year, which saw Denise left heartbroken following her split from cheating fiancé Eddie Boxshall, her life is evidently on the up she reportedly prepares to move in with new beau Jimmy Barba.

Denise Van Outen's inclusion is a major boost for the show (Rex Features)

The mum-of-one and the property developer recently enjoyed an "amazing" first holiday together to Marbella, and it seems the loved-up pair are keen to spend even more time together.

Pals of the Celebrity Gogglebox star, 48, have said the presenter has fallen "hard and fast" from Jimmy, and predicted the happy couple will move in together in the near future.

The pair went public at the 12th annual Grand Prix Ball in June, after reportedly being set up by their mutual pal, All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis.

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