Ore Oduba says he's the 'third wheel' between wife and Strictly partner Jo

ore oduba with wife portia
(Image credit: James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock)

BBC sports journalist Ore Oduba says there's no danger of suffering the Strictly 'curse' because his wife and dance partner have grown so close

Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba has said there is no danger of the programme’s 'curse' striking his marriage, because his wife spends so much time with his dance partner.

The TV presenter and professional dancer Joanne Clifton have impressed the judges with their routines during the series.

Undated BBC handout photo of Joanne Clifton and Ore Oduba

(Guy Levy/BBC)

 

Their moves helped them earn three 10s in the fourth week and propelled them to the top of the leaderboard two weeks in a row – but Ore said Joanne still has time to forge a close bond with his wife, Portia.

A photo posted by on

 

He told ITV’s This Morning: “My wife and Jo get on so well, I’m the third wheel, I’m the outsider. To have those brilliant blonde bombshells in my life, I’m the cat who got the cream.”

Ore Oduba and Portia Oduba attending the world premiere of The Girl On The Train

Ore and Portia (Ian West/PA)

 

He added: “All I ever wanted to do was get married from about the age of 11.

“If you’re lucky enough to find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, you have won, that has got to be it.”

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The BBC sports presenter, who recently returned from covering the Rio Olympics, added: “It’s our first year of marriage and I’ve barely seen her, but she has been so supportive.

“I have promised her year two will be different. She is my biggest cheerleader.”

Ore, who has been known to cry after winning high praise from the judges, told the show: “I only get emotional about things I really care about, so weddings, getting engaged and twice in a row on Strictly Come Dancing, those are the only times in the last two years I have welled up publicly and I don’t cry gracefully – I cry like someone has died.

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“There is a picture of me at the altar getting married and I am the one in the middle who can’t keep it together.”

 

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