Ore Oduba’s wife Portia breaks silence after sad split from Strictly winner following nine-year marriage

ORE Oduba’s wife Portia has spoken out for the first time following the pair’s shock split. 

The couple announced they were ending their nine-year marriage earlier this week, with presenter Ore confirming the news on Instagram. 

Today, Portia posted her own statement on the social media site, thanking fans and followers for their support as they navigate their divorce. 

Posting on her Stories, Portia shared a photo of herself looking out to the ocean, writing over the picture: “I just wanted to come on and say thank you so much for every single message. 

“I don't know what my next chapter looks like, but who ever does, that's life.

“Thank you again to you, if you have followed me on here for a long time or if you are new, hello!

“I'll be back on here as soon as. Save me a wine! I'm ok.” 

The couple’s break-up shocked longtime followers of the pair, who have watched on as they got engaged, married and welcomed two children – Roman, six, and Genie, three, together. 

Ore and Portia first met in 2010 when they were studying at Loughborough University. 

Portia was also a prominent support for Ore when he competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, eventually lifting the glitterball alongside pro partner Joanne Clifton. 

Swerving rumours of the long-derided “Strictly curse”, Ore made sure Portia bonded with Joanne throughout their time on the show together. 

In one interview, he told The Sun: "The show is so 24/7 and I didn’t want Portia to feel like an outsider. The three of us went out for dinner and bowling together. I won.

"But Portia and Jo got on so brilliantly, I was the third wheel! If anything, the curse has stolen my wife because I feel left out when we all hang out together.

"I really couldn’t have been more fortunate than to get two brilliant blonde bombshells in my life."

Since his time on the show, he has become a regular face in musicals, often heading out on tour for weeks at a time.

This has included stints in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease and Curtains The Musical, as well as appearing on the Strictly Live tour for two years - once as a participant and once as host.

On Thursday, Ore confirmed he and Portia had decided to privately end their marriage months ago. 

The statement read: “Hi guys. Portia and I are sad to announce that we separated earlier this year.

“We’re so grateful for all the love you’ve shared with us both over the years.

“And we want to thank you in advance for respecting our privacy as we navigated this difficult transition.

“We will be making no further comment. Be kind, always.”