TOP 10 - CELEBRITY
AJ Odudu
AJ Odudu is one of the UK’s most prominent broadcasters, known for her vibrant energy and Lancashire charm. Over the years, she has established herself as a leading presenter, fronting several successful programs. Born to Nigerian parents and raised with her seven siblings in Blackburn, AJ is widely recognised for co-presenting the 2013 Channel 5 reality show Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and co-hosting the highly anticipated return of Big Brother to ITV in 2023. She also made history as the UK spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, announcing the votes live from Salford for the first time ever. Additional career highlights include reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and featuring in the February 2024 issue of British Vogue.
Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon is an English singer, rapper, dancer, television personality, and author. She first gained fame in the early 2000s as a member of the R&B, garage, and hip hop group Mis-Teeq. Her career soared after winning the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, leading to a successful comeback with her second album. In 2009, Alesha joined Strictly as a judge, later transitioning to Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, where she has remained ever since. Earlier this year, Dixon marked her return to music by performing her reggae-inspired single Ransom—her first new song in three years—at the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-final.
Beverley Knight
Raised by Jamaican parents, Beverley Knight MBE is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and radio personality, often hailed as the “Queen of British Soul.” Over the past 15 years, she has been one of the UK’s most consistently successful artists, with multiple top 10 albums to her name. Since the release of her debut album in 1995, Beverley has continued to captivate audiences. Last year, she launched her largest UK tour to date, featuring over twenty headline dates. Due to overwhelming demand, additional tour dates have been added for 2024.
Fleur East
Fleur East is a versatile English singer-songwriter, rapper, and presenter. She has earned acclaim as a broadcaster, particularly as the host of Hits Radio’s Breakfast and Saturday Morning Shows. In June 2023, Fleur was appointed as the co-host of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, adding to her impressive portfolio. Recently, she expanded her entrepreneurial ventures by launching a hair care brand in the UK, dedicated to ‘redefining’ beauty standards for those with curly hair.
Mawaan Rizwan
Mawaan Rizwan is a Pakistani-born British actor and comedian who first gained prominence as a YouTuber. He has since ascended to become a BAFTA-winning actor and writer, celebrated for his groundbreaking work on the critically acclaimed BBC series Juice. Rizwan not only starred in and wrote the show but also served as its executive producer, earning him the BAFTA TV Award for Male Performance in a Comedy. His writing contributions to Netflix’s Sex Education (series 2 and 3) further cemented his reputation, landing him a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Ncuti Gatwa
Ncuti Gatwa is a Rwandan-Scottish actor who grew up in Scotland after fleeing Rwanda in 1994. He gained widespread recognition for his standout role as Eric in the Netflix series Sex Education. Now, Gatwa has made history as the first queer Black actor to headline the world’s longest-running sci-fi series, taking on the role of The Doctor in BBC’s Doctor Who.
Shaznay Lewis
Shaznay Lewis is a celebrated English singer and songwriter who first gained prominence as a member of the iconic girl group All Saints, which she co-founded with Melanie Blatt. Born in Islington to a Barbadian father and a Jamaican mother, Lewis has built a remarkable career both within and beyond the group. An accomplished songwriter, she has penned tracks for Little Mix, Westlife, and Stooshe’s Brit Award-nominated “Black Heart.” A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Shaznay made a triumphant return to her solo career in 2024.
Simone Ashley
Professionally known as Simone Ashley, the British actress has garnered acclaim for her standout role in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton. Her casting was a groundbreaking moment, as it reimagined Kate’s ethnicity from the original books to reflect Indian heritage, marking a significant step in diversifying representation. Ashley is also recognised for her role as Olivia in the acclaimed Netflix series Sex Education, which earned the Top 100 Popular Television award from ReFrame. Looking ahead, she will appear in the highly anticipated Formula 1 racing film F1, starring Brad Pitt, set for release in 2025.
Tony Bellew
Tony Bellew, a 41-year-old retired professional boxer from Liverpool, is a former WBC World Cruiserweight Champion. Active from 2007 to 2018, Bellew held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2016 to 2017 and ended his boxing career with a notable challenge for the undisputed cruiserweight championship. Beyond the ring, Tony demonstrated his resilience on Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2020. He is also a successful author and hosts a popular podcast, further showcasing his diverse talents and engaging personality.