CBB co-host and radio DJ Will Best chats about why he’s got that Friday feeling back, marriage plans with other half Tobi Rose – and one of his favourite housemates of all time
Hits Radio DJ and Celebrity Big Brother co-host Will Best is chatty and multitasking like a pro when new catches up with him, walking his dog Sandwich in the park as we talk. Will, 40, has become known in recent years as one of the faces of ITV ’s revived Big Brother, alongside his old pal AJ Odudu.
The Londoner, who got engaged to his stylist girlfriend Tobi Rose last year after more than a decade together, is also backing a Holiday Inn Express campaign to provide gig-goers with care packages for the day after the night before. Here, he talks to OK! about his friendship with AJ, gives his take on Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa as their romance hots up, and reveals how he’s mellowed over time…
Hi Will! How are things with you?
Great. I’m enjoying my weekends. I do Hits Radio [breakfast show] with Fleur East and the comedian James Barr – I used to do the weekend show but now, doing the daily show, I have my weekends back. It’s lovely to have that Friday feeling.
Are the early morning starts difficult?
I get up at 5am, so it could be worse. I still live my life, but I’ve taken to asking mates to meet for dinner at 6.30pm. I have such a laugh on the show, it doesn’t feel like work. We had Will Smith in the studio the other day. I ended up rapping at him – he kept repeating the word “Tragic” while I did. It might have been a compliment!
Co-hosting Celebrity Big Brother must be quite the ride…
It doesn’t quite feel real. The last series had everything – drama, controversy… Me and AJ had to throw Mickey Rourke into the house, then out when he got the boot a week later. That’s some nice symmetry.
Name one of your favourite housemates?
Louis Walsh. He had that brilliant mix of knowing how to give everything in a reality format while also not knowing what the hell was going on at any given moment. Other housemates later told me he’d have a big argument, then go, “Wow, that was great TV.” He thought he was producing it!
Everyone’s talking about JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes. What do you make of their relationship?
When their relationship was unfolding in CBB, I was thinking, ‘OK, it’s obviously platonic.’ But the relationship they’ve since developed is beautiful – they seem to have clearly found a soulmate in each other.
What about AJ? She’s engaged now…
Yeah, I’m so happy for her. She’s living her best life.
You were already friends before hosting Big Brother, weren’t you?
We were – that’s why we were so lucky to get the hosting gig together. We’re both massive Big Brother fans, so we get to chat about it on the telly. You couldn’t ask for a better friend than AJ. She gives great advice, she’s super loyal and such a laugh.
And you’re good friends with Maya Jama too, aren’t you?
I am, although she’s the busiest person in Britain so I don’t see her as often as I’d like. I’ve been watching Love Island. My fiancée loves it too – so much drama. Maya and I used to work together on so many things. She and AJ are also super-close. The three of us did the show Release The Hounds in Lithuania years ago. It was terrifying. Poor old Maya was terrible at outrunning those dogs – she totally sacrificed herself for charity. What a trouper.
You are also engaged. Do you have any plans to tie the knot?
It sounds like such a cliché, but we’re both so busy the thought of organising a wedding just seems… I can’t imagine ever having the time. But we’ll get round to it, for sure.
You’ve had an interesting career so far meeting a variety of celebs – who would you say stands out?
So many. My first big interview was with Britney Spears. I once went fishing with Dappy from N-Dubz at this carp lake in Oxfordshire, full of posh people standing around in tweeds. It’s all about being quiet, not to scare the carp away. Dappy arrives and starts shouting, “No, mate – wrong place. Look at these idiots!’’ He took us to a deserted corner of the lake, said, “This is where they are,” and hauled out three fish in five minutes. The professional carp-fishers were aghast.
Tell us about Fresh Or Fried, the campaign with Holiday Inn Express that you’re involved in…
Music and gigging has always been a huge part of my life and this summer feels epic for upcoming bands and big stars. So Holiday Inn has created care packages for gig-goers which are a lifesaver, tailored to the two types of gig-goers. You’re either someone like me, who prioritises feeling fresh – you go to gigs but get proper sleep, feel rested, have a fresh breakfast… or you go more hell for leather and worry about how you’re feeling the next day – probably a bit fried. They have a fresh package with lavender oil, earplugs, mouth tape to help you into a deep sleep. In the fried package it’s all about the rehydration salts and under-eye patches.
Do you think you have mellowed as you’ve matured?
Well, because I have to get up at stupid o’clock for my radio show, I’ll go to gigs and have a dance, but may leave before the encore. But I’m not alone – apparently 39% of Gen Z will leave before the encore. In a way, I am actually young and hip.
You’re 40 now – are we allowed to talk about this?
You can, but I don’t think anyone will believe you. Look, I’m definitely more sensible as I’ve got older. I’ve developed a more caring relationship with Tomorrow Will. I used to hate that guy and he never got a moment’s thought. Until pretty recently, I’d enjoy the encore, then the after-party. I’d treat late nights like a sport and want to be as match-fit as possible. But, fear not, Wild Will still comes out occasionally…
The Fresh Or Fried campaign is running until 24 September, with boxes available (while stocks last) at selected properties across the UK and Ireland or at hiexfreshfried.com. Find out more at ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/freshorfried