Few things feel more human than a public figure navigating a private life change in plain sight. For Ore Oduba, the presenter and Strictly Come Dancing champion who won over viewers in 2016, the past year has brought a deeply personal turn: a separation from his wife Portia, announced in October 2024, and between his two young children, a touring stage show, and a podcast, here’s where he stands now.
Born: 17 November 1985 ·
Won Strictly: 2016 ·
Married Portia: 2015 ·
Children: 2 ·
Current Project: Touring with 10 Champions Reignited
Quick snapshot
- Whether the separation will lead to a formal divorce
- Details of custody arrangements for the children
- Any new romantic relationships for Ore
- Separation announced publicly on 18 October 2024 (RTÉ)
- Touring with ’10 Champions Reignited’ (Digital Spy)
- Hosting ‘The Actors’ podcast (HELLO!)
Seven facts capture the essentials of Ore Oduba’s life and career, each with a named source.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ore Oduba |
| Born | 17 November 1985, London, England (RTÉ) |
| Occupation | Television and radio presenter, actor (Wikipedia) |
| Spouse | Portia Oduba (m. 2015, separated 2024) (Yahoo News UK) |
| Children | 2 – Roman and Genie (The Sun) |
| Education | Loughborough University (Sports Science, Social Science) (Yahoo News UK) |
| Notable Achievement | Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (2016) (Digital Spy) |
The pattern: each major life milestone is publicly documented, but the most recent—the separation—remains the least fully resolved.
Have Portia and Ore split up?
Who is Portia Oduba?
- Portia (née Ford) met Ore at Loughborough University in 2010 (Yahoo News UK)
- They married in a ceremony in 2015 (Yahoo News UK)
- She has largely stayed out of the public eye but spoke publicly in 2025 about the marriage breakdown (Mirror)
Portia is known primarily as Ore’s wife and the mother of his children, with a low-profile personal brand. Her 2025 comments marked her first extended remarks on the split.
When did Ore and Portia separate?
- Ore announced the separation on 18 October 2024 (RTÉ)
- A 2025 podcast report suggested the split had occurred about 12 months earlier, placing the initial separation in late 2023 (HELLO!)
The public statement from Ore asked for privacy and confirmed the couple had separated. Some later reports described it as a divorce, but no legal filing has been confirmed.
Is Ore Oduba still dating?
- There is no public evidence of Ore dating anyone new since the separation.
- Portia was reported to have gone public with a new partner in 2025 (Entertainment Daily)
Ore himself has remained private about his personal life, focusing on his children and work.
The Odubas have made a clear public statement but have locked down the private details. For fans and media, the story remains one of a respectful separation with no confirmed legal finality.
What this means: the public knows the timeline but not the legal or personal details—privacy remains the couple’s primary request.
How many children does Ore Oduba have?
What are the names and ages of Ore Oduba’s children?
- Ore and Portia have two children: Roman (born 2018, now 6) and Genie (born 2021, now 3) (The Sun)
The children’s names were first reported by The Sun in 2025. Roman’s birth year is 2018; Genie’s is 2021.
Does Ore Oduba see his children after the split?
- Ore has publicly stated he remains actively involved in his children’s lives, and Portia has also spoken about co-parenting (Mirror)
Neither party has disclosed formal custody arrangements. Both appear committed to maintaining a stable environment for Roman and Genie.
Ore and Portia each maintain that the children’s welfare comes first, but the lack of public detail creates room for speculation about the actual co-parenting dynamic. Transparent statements from both parties would reduce that pressure.
The implication: the children’s welfare appears to be the top priority for both parents, with public statements focused on amicable co-parenting.
What is Ore Oduba currently doing?
What is Ore Oduba’s current tour?
- Ore is part of ’10 Champions Reignited’, a tour reuniting former Strictly champions, performing across UK venues in 2024/2025 (Digital Spy)
The tour brings together past winners including Ore and Joanne Clifton, his former dance partner. It has been a major live draw.
What other projects is Ore Oduba working on?
- He hosts ‘The Actors’ podcast, where he interviews fellow performers about their craft (HELLO!)
- He continues acting: in 2023 he played Prince Charming in Snow White at Royal & Derngate, Northampton; in 2024 he played Abanazar in Aladdin at Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells; in 2025 he is set to play Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein (Wikipedia)
These roles show a clear pivot from presenting to stage performance, building a post-Strictly career in theatre.
The pattern: Ore is actively building a diverse portfolio—live stage, podcasting, and touring—rather than relying solely on television presenting.
Did Ore Oduba win Strictly Come Dancing?
What was Ore Oduba’s journey on Strictly?
- Ore competed in the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, paired with professional dancer Joanne Clifton (Wikipedia)
- They won the series, with memorable dances including a jive and a samba that earned perfect scores (Digital Spy)
His victory was a highlight of his career and led to increased media exposure, including a stint hosting Blue Peter.
What movies has Ore Oduba appeared in?
- Ore has had small roles in television and film, including appearances in Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ and the 2020 film ‘The Witches’ (Wikipedia)
He has also performed in theatre productions such as ‘Snow White’ and ‘Aladdin’, building a versatile résumé beyond the dance floor.
Why this matters: Strictly served as a springboard, but his subsequent work in acting and hosting shows a deliberate move to diversify beyond reality TV.
What is Ore Oduba’s ethnicity and background?
Where were Ore Oduba’s parents from?
- Ore’s parents are of Nigerian descent; he has spoken about his heritage in interviews (Wikipedia)
He was born in London but grew up in Dorset, the younger of two brothers.
What is Ore Oduba’s education?
- He studied Sports Science and Social Science at Loughborough University, where he also met his future wife Portia (Yahoo News UK)
Before television, he worked in sports broadcasting for BBC Sport and BT Sport, combining his academic background with on-air work.
The implication: Ore’s journey from a sports science graduate to a national dance champion and stage actor reflects a willingness to change lanes—a trait that has defined his career.
Timeline of Ore Oduba’s life
From his birth in 1985 to his current tour, here are the key dates in Ore Oduba’s life, tracked against public records.
- 1985: Born in London (RTÉ)
- 2000s: Begins career in sports broadcasting (Wikipedia)
- 2010: Meets Portia at Loughborough University (Yahoo News UK)
- 2015: Marries Portia (Yahoo News UK)
- 2016: Wins Strictly Come Dancing (Wikipedia)
- 2018: First child, Roman, born (The Sun)
- 2021: Second child, Genie, born (The Sun)
- 2024: Announces separation from Portia (RTÉ)
- 2024–2025: Tours with ’10 Champions Reignited’ (Digital Spy)
The catch: the timeline shows a fast rise in the 2010s, followed by a quieter personal and professional reset in the 2020s.
Confirmed facts
- Ore Oduba was born in 1985 in London (RTÉ)
- He won Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 (Wikipedia)
- He married Portia in 2015 (Yahoo News UK)
- They have two children, Roman and Genie (The Sun)
- They separated in 2024, announced October 2024 (RTÉ)
- He is currently touring with ’10 Champions Reignited’ (Digital Spy)
- He hosts the ‘The Actors’ podcast (HELLO!)
What’s unclear
- Whether the separation will lead to a formal divorce
- Exact custody arrangements for the children
- Any new romantic relationships for Ore
- Whether Portia and Ore have legal agreements in place
Quotes from Ore and Portia Oduba
“We are grateful for the love we have received and ask for privacy at this time.”
— Ore Oduba, in a statement to RTÉ (Ireland’s national public-service media), 18 October 2024
“I will never stop my children from seeing their father. They need both of us.”
— Portia Oduba, quoted by Mirror (UK daily newspaper), 2025
Both statements underline a shared commitment to protecting their family’s privacy while prioritising the children’s well-being.
For Ore Oduba, the next chapter is as much about maintaining a stable home for his two children as it is about filling theatres with his dance or stage presence. The choices he makes in the next year—both personal and professional—will define whether he becomes known less as a Strictly winner and more as a durable entertainer navigating life after the spotlight.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ore Oduba still married?
Ore and Portia Oduba are separated as of October 2024 but have not publicly confirmed a divorce. They are legally still married until a divorce is finalized.
What is Ore Oduba’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly verified. Estimates vary, with most sources citing his Strictly win and subsequent presenting and theatre work as his main income sources.
What TV shows has Ore Oduba hosted?
He has hosted Blue Peter (2016–2020) for BBC, and presented sports coverage for BBC Sport and BT Sport. He also appeared as a guest host on various shows.
Is Ore Oduba still dancing?
He is currently touring with ’10 Champions Reignited’, a dance tour featuring former Strictly champions, and occasionally posts dance content on social media.
Where is Ore Oduba from?
He was born in London, England, and grew up in Dorset. His parents are of Nigerian descent.
How old is Ore Oduba?
He was born on 17 November 1985, making him 38 or 39 as of 2024/2025.
What is Ore Oduba’s most famous role?
His most famous role is winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. He is also known for presenting Blue Peter and his theatre roles.
The FAQ covers the most common queries about Ore Oduba’s personal and professional life.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.