She’s a regular face on the Loose Women panel and now actress Chizzy Adukolu has another regular slot on our screens – this time as one of two team captains on ITV’s four-part panel show Sorry, I Didn’t Know, which marks Black History Month in the UK.
Chizzy – whose full name is Chizoba but was given the nickname by her uncle when she was younger – explains why now, more than ever, the achievements of black people need to be celebrated.
She says, “It’s all part of our history, and there have been amazing accomplishments from black people in this country that we just don’t hear about, and I think we should. It’s great to celebrate when we’re doing amazing things. There’s so much that black people have contributed to this country that people don’t know about – myself included.”
Chizzy, 47, was born in North West London in 1973 to Nigerian parents, who moved to the UK in the ’60s. She says she recalls being the subject of racial abuse when the family moved to Hertfordshire in 1983.
“We were the only black people around. There was a little mob that congregated outside. I remember my aunt having to go outside and speak to someone because they weren’t happy with us being there. We actually got called the ‘P’ word and we were also called the ‘N’ word, and that does stay with you. They are just a faceless person in a way, but you know how it felt at the time,” she reveals.
The star, who has three sisters, two brothers and five nieces, says black women have to work “twice as hard” to get heard.
“I find that when a black woman has something to say and she gets passionate or emotional about it, she is called ‘aggressive’, whereas when a white woman does it, she is described as ‘passionate’,” Chizzy says.
The actress first hit our screens in BBC sitcom 15 Storeys High in 2002. She then had a small role in EastEnders and starred in a few children’s shows on BBC before being cast as surgeon Mo Effanga in Holby City in 2012 until 2017. Later that year, she appeared as a contestant on Strictly with professional Pasha Kovalev, but was voted out in week one.
Check out: Black History Month - here's what to stream on Netflix
Netflix Black History Month - slider
1 of 15The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
Based on a true story, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind sees 13-year-old William Kamkwamba thrown out of school after his family can no longer afford the fees. Determined to continue his education, he sneaks into the library and teach himself how to build a windmill, saving his village from a famine in the process. Now streaming
2 of 15Top Boy
This drama explores the tensions between the drug gangs that operate in the housing estates of East London. It follows Dushane, a twentysomething drug dealer determined to become the area's Top Boy and Ra/Nell, a teenager forced to grow up quickly after his mother's breakdown and absence. Now streaming
3 of 15Chewing Gum
I May Destroy You's Michaela Coel stars in this comedy about 24-year-old Tracey Gorgon, who was raised in a strict religious family and has now decided to lose her virginity. Now streaming
4 of 15They've Gotta Have Us
This docuseries charts the rise of black actors from being the backdrop to calling the shots with candid recollections from Debbie Allen, Harry Belafonte, John Boyega and more. Now streaming
5 of 15Gina Yashere: Skinny B*tch
Gina Yashere, standup comedian and Daily Show correspondent, performs a sharp set of observations on the environment, money and more. Now streaming
6 of 15Rocks
Olushola, or 'Rocks' to her friends, is forced to protect and provide for her younger brother after their mother abandons them. Now streaming
7 of 15Gone Too Far!
Spend the day with two estranged teenage brothers who meet for the first time ever and struggle to accept each other. Now streaming
8 of 15Generation Revolution
This powerful documentary follows London's new generation of activists of colour as they fight against oppression and injustice motivated by their desire for a more equal future. Now streaming
9 of 15Tucked
Jackie, an 80-year-old drag queen with a terminal illness, begins an unlikely friendship with a younger queen as the two struggles through their own battles with gender identity and mortality. Now streaming
10 of 15A United Kingdom
Based on the real-life romance of Prince Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams, A United Kingdom sees the prince return to Bechuanaland, where he is to ascend to the throne, with his new wife — a white woman from South London. Now streaming
11 of 15White Teeth
Based on Zadie Smith's award-winning novel, White Teeth sees three diverse London families over a span of several decades at their lives become more and more intertwined. Now streaming
12 of 15Entitled
Fantasy documentary Entitled takes a fresh look at the experience of first-generation immigrants. Now streaming
13 of 15Desmond's
Desmond's, the classic sitcom from the late 80s and early 90s', focuses on Desmond Ambrose and his barbershop in Peckham that acts as the hub of the neighbourhood's social scene. From 8 October
14 of 15Babylon
This satirical drama takes a fresh look at the politics and publicity of London's police force. From 15 October
15 of 15His House
Horror fans will enjoy this film following a refugee couple from South Sudan as they attempt to start over in an English town, only to be tormented by an evil force in their new home. From 30 October
During that time, Chizzy’s ex-husband, computer engineer Henry Anang, claimed she had “sacrificed” their marriage in 2000 to find success as an actress, but added they’d had a “beautiful” relationship.
On the subject of dating, Chizzy is all for interracial relationships. “It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest,” she says. “My brother got married last year to a lovely girl from Slovakia, and she’s adorable. All I care about is if you are going to treat my family well – it doesn’t matter what colour you are. I’ve dated outside and within my race and I don’t see any problem with it whatsoever. I think mixed-raced cultures are wonderful.”
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Chizzy feels everyone in Britain should be educated about black people’s contribution to their country, but says she disagrees with Prince Harry’s recent claim that London isn’t as diverse as he had initially thought.
“I’ve always seen London as a real melting pot, and I’ve always found it very multicultural. I really like Harry and Meghan, but I don’t think Harry has really walked around the streets of London to be able to say that. I don’t want to dis [respect] him, but I don’t agree with that.
“I just hope that if we can all learn more about black people’s contribution, and that we’ve been in Britain for a lot longer than people think, we might be a bit more tolerant. I think children in schools need to know that they are valued, and that they’ve come from greatness too – it all helps.”
Chizzy Akudolu hosts ITV’s Sorry, I Didn’t Know, as part of Black History Month
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