Ore Oduba: Split from Wife Portia, New Life & Career Update

When a Strictly Come Dancing winner and his wife of nine years announce they’re living apart, it’s natural to wonder what comes next. Ore Oduba’s split from Portia has been one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups of 2024, touching on everything from co-parenting two young children to the intense pressures of a public career.

Full name: Ore Oduba ·
Born: 17 November 1985 ·
Occupation: Television and radio presenter, actor ·
Known for: Winning the fourteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing ·
Spouse: Portia Oduba (estranged) ·
Children: 2

Ore Oduba’s profile can be broken down into these key facts.

Have Ore and Portia split up?

Yes. Ore Oduba and Portia (née Culmer) are estranged and living separately. The split became public in October 2024 when Ore confirmed the separation in a statement to Metro (UK news outlet), describing the decision as “sad” and emphasising that they remained committed to co-parenting their children.

When did the split occur?

• Ore and Portia married in November 2015, according to Wikipedia.
• They separated earlier in 2024, before the public announcement in October of that year.
• Portia had already revealed in January 2024 that the couple were divorcing, per Wikipedia.

What was the reason for the separation?

Neither Ore nor Portia has publicly detailed a specific reason for the divorce. Express (UK celebrity news) reported in 2021 that Ore had expressed fears about his marriage during lockdown, telling Loose Men that parenting through the pandemic had put strain on the relationship and that he “feared Portia was considering divorce.”

The implication: The split appears to have been a gradual process, with public hints as early as 2021, rather than a sudden event in 2024.

What is Ore Oduba doing now?

Ore Oduba remains active across television, radio, and stage. After winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, he built a career that spans children’s TV, sports broadcasting, and acting. Bournemouth University (academic institution) cited his work across children’s television, sports broadcasting, the 2016 Rio Olympics, This Morning, The One Show, and BBC Radio 2.

Current TV and radio projects

• Ore continues to present and appear on British television, including guest slots on panel shows.
• He has taken on acting roles, including a part in the BBC drama Noughts + Crosses.
• He performed in the stage musical Curtains in the West End.

Podcast work

Ore has expanded into podcasting, hosting and appearing on various digital shows. While no single podcast has been designated as his main project, his social media presence remains active, with regular updates to his Instagram (Ore’s official account).

Rumors about a boyfriend

There is no confirmed public information about Ore Oduba having a new partner. The “boyfriend” rumor appears to be unsubstantiated speculation on social media. No reliable source has reported any romantic relationship since the separation.

Why this matters: Ore’s career trajectory after Strictly shows a deliberate shift from pure broadcasting into acting and theatre, suggesting he is building a longer-term creative portfolio rather than relying on TV presenting alone.

Does Ore see his kids?

Yes. Ore and Portia have two young children, and Ore sees them regularly. HELLO! (celebrity and lifestyle magazine) reported that the couple share a son, Roman (born 2018), and a daughter, Genie.

Co-parenting arrangements

• Ore and Portia have described their living situation as “entirely different” from before the split.
• Portia has spoken publicly about the co-parenting arrangement, noting that the children are adjusting to the new family structure.
• Ore has not publicly detailed the terms of the arrangement, but has stated his commitment to being an involved father.

Portia’s comments about the children

Portia has been more vocal about the children’s experience. In a post-split interview, she described the reality of raising two young children in a separated household, noting that the “entirely different” living situation required significant adjustment for everyone involved.

The catch: While both parents say they are committed to co-parenting, the lack of specific details about the arrangement leaves room for public speculation. The children’s names — Roman and Genie — are public, but their daily lives remain private.

How did Ore and Portia meet?

Ore and Portia met in 2010 while both were students at Loughborough University, according to HELLO! (celebrity and lifestyle magazine). Portia, whose maiden name is Culmer, was not a public figure before the marriage.

Early relationship

• The couple met during their university years in the UK.
• They dated for five years before marrying.
• Portia worked behind the scenes in television production, according to reports.

Marriage in 2015

Ore and Portia married in November 2015 at a ceremony in the UK. The Guardian (UK newspaper) noted that Ore had married Portia just over a year before winning Strictly Come Dancing, a fact that framed much of his early public profile as a married man who had just won the nation’s favourite dance competition.

The pattern: The marriage occurred during a period of rapid professional ascent for Ore, who went from sports presenter to Strictly winner in the space of two years. The timing suggests that the couple’s relationship was tested by the intensity of Ore’s sudden fame.

Why did Ore and Portia divorce?

The exact reasons for the divorce have not been publicly detailed by either Ore or Portia. What is known comes from public statements, media reports, and Ore’s own earlier comments about marital strain.

Official reasons cited

• Neither party has filed a public statement specifying grounds for divorce.
• Ore’s October 2024 statement described the split as “sad” but did not give a reason.
• Portia’s comments have focused on the practical challenges of the new living situation rather than the cause.

Unconfirmed reports

Speculation in the press has included lifestyle differences and the pressures of parenting young children. Express (UK celebrity news) reported in 2021 that Ore himself had voiced fears about the marriage, saying he felt the relationship was under strain during lockdown. However, no official confirmation of any specific cause exists.

The implication: Without a formal statement from either party, the reasons for the divorce remain in the realm of speculation. The most reliable clue is the strain Ore himself described in 2021, which suggests the marriage was already struggling well before the 2024 separation.

Timeline

• 1985: Ore Oduba born in London.
• 2010: Ore and Portia meet at Loughborough University.
• 2015: Ore and Portia marry in November.
• 2016: Ore wins Strictly Come Dancing (Bournemouth University).
• 2018: Son Roman born (HELLO!).
• 2021: Ore expresses marriage fears on Loose Men (Express).
• Early 2024: Separation occurs.
• October 2024: Ore confirms split publicly.
• 2025: Divorce proceedings continue; Portia pursuing personal training career (Mirror).

The timing of these events reveals a pattern: the marriage unravelled over several years, with public hints long before the formal announcement.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Ore and Portia are estranged and living separately.
• They have two children: Roman and Genie.
• Ore is a television and radio presenter, actor, and Strictly Come Dancing 2016 winner.
• The couple married in 2015 and separated in 2024.
• Ore sees his children regularly.

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for the divorce.
• Whether Ore has a new partner (boyfriend rumor is unconfirmed).
• Substance addiction claims (unverified by any reliable source).
• Specific terms of the co-parenting arrangement.
• Whether Portia has a new partner (unconfirmed).

This split between confirmed and unconfirmed facts underscores how much remains private despite intense public curiosity.

Quotes

“It’s entirely different. It’s not what we had before.”

— Portia Oduba, describing the living situation after the split, as reported by HELLO!

“I’m sad to announce that we’ve separated earlier this year.”

— Ore Oduba, October 2024 statement

“I fear Portia is considering divorce.”

— Ore Oduba, speaking on Loose Men in 2021, as reported by Express

“He wanted a life partner from a young age.”

— The Guardian, describing Ore’s approach to marriage

For Ore Oduba, the path forward is clear: continue building a career that extends beyond his Strictly win, and maintain a stable co-parenting relationship with Portia for the sake of Roman and Genie. The alternative — letting public speculation fill the gaps left by private silence — would only complicate the already difficult work of raising two children across two households.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQs above address the most common questions, but many details remain unconfirmed.

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