Ore Oduba has spoken publicly for the first time about the death of his sibling, describing how the tragedy has reshaped his outlook on life.
The TV presenter, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 alongside professional dancer Joanne Clifton, revealed that his family had been devastated by the loss of his sibling, Lola, who died in April.
Appearing on John Reynolds’ Extraordinary Life Stories podcast, the former CBBC host reflected: “I guess we have been through a really difficult year as a family, and I was very ready for that to kick off a new chapter in my life, and it did.
“I’m grateful to him (Dad) for everything he gave us. I wasn’t prepared to lose my sister.”
The broadcaster also spoke about his family ties, sharing that his father, a lawyer in his eighties, lives in Nigeria and that opportunities to see one another are rare.
Their last reunion was in 2022, when Oduba travelled there for the first time in three years following the pandemic.
Discussing the circumstances of Lola’s death, he said they had left a note for loved ones in which they came out as non-binary, a term used to describe someone who does not identify exclusively as male or female.
The presenter shared: “She has been with me every day since. My sister is non-binary; they told us in their goodbye letter.
“They’ve been with me every day since, and what my sister did in choosing to find a peace in death that they couldn’t find in life—that was strength. That was courage, and that was brave.”
He continued: “And having gone through the last four or five years of their life and hearing about their struggles physically and emotionally, when actually my sister did more living in the actual five years of their life than the previous 32, and still made a decision that they couldn’t carry on living in this world.
“What they did for all of us in those last weeks, that has given me the strength every day, and my responsibility now is to carry that legacy because nothing is hard compared to what my sister went through.”
While acknowledging the profound grief, Oduba said the tragedy had also reinforced the importance of living with purpose.
“So I’m going to make the most of every single second I have left,” he reflected.
“... None of this stuff matters, but you can wrestle what is really important back before it is too late, so that is what I’m doing now.”
Oduba’s remarks follow another difficult period in his personal life, after he revealed that his marriage had come to an end.
He first met Portia at Loughborough University in 2010, with the couple marrying in 2015 and later welcoming two children, Roman, now seven, and Genie, four.
Confirming their separation, Oduba said the pair had officially decided to part ways early in 2024.
If you have been affected by topics discussed in the article or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
