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Mobo Awards: Reality TV stars 'privileged to host big ceremony'

Donnie Sunshine/MOBOs Babatunde and Indiyah on a white background looking at the camera. Babatunde on the left is wearing a white tshirt under a green blazer, holding a silver award which spells out "MOBO". Indiyah on the right has her right arm over his shoulder, and is wearing a grey outfit with silver earrings. Her left hand is doing a "peace" sign.Donnie Sunshine/MOBOs
Indiyah Polack says the Mobos is a place where her and Babatunde can "feel like ourselves"

TV stars Indiyah Polack and Babatunde Aléshé have been announced as the hosts of this year's Mobo Awards.

The ex-Love Islander and former I'm a Celeb campmate are switching to music for the February event dedicated to celebrating black music and culture.

Little Simz and Stormzy lead the pack with four nominations each at the ceremony in Sheffield.

Not far behind are Central Cee, J Hus, PinkPantheress and Raye with three apiece.

Dancehall star Byron Messia will be performing at the awards, with DJ Spoony and two-time Grammy winners Soul II Soul also due to be on stage.

"I feel privileged to be hosting such a big ceremony that's very popular in my culture," Indiyah tells BBC Newsbeat.

"A lot of people that are going to be watching can obviously relate, and will hopefully like me being involved."

Getty Images Stormzy performs at All Points East Festival 2023. Stormzy is a young black man with a shaved head and short beard. He wears an unbuttoned olive green shirt over a white T-shirt. With his left hand he points to the crowd while holding a mic outstretched in his right hand.Getty Images
Stormzy has four nominations for best song, album, music video and male act

Comic Babatunde says it's a "surreal" feeling to be hosting a show which has previously had Maya Jama and Munya Chawawa as presenters.

"This is our first time hosting such a huge event in front of a massive audience," he says.

"But we're very practical, fully prepped and we have a great team. And that puts us in a confident position."

The Mobo (Music of Black Origin) awards have a long history, with prizes first being handed out in 1996 to celebrate.

Indiyah and Babatunde say they are trying to focus more on entertaining the audience than thinking about the pressure of hosting.

"I feel like me and Babatunde, we're fun people anyway," Indiyah says.

"Like, they'll switch on their screens and be like, 'wow, we love Babatunde and Indiyah'.

"We're doing something that we genuinely enjoy. We love hosting and the kind of music that we're gonna be presenting on the night.

Babatunde adds: "You can expect vibes, vibes and more vibes."

The Mobo Awards will air on BBC One on Wednesday 7 February.

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