Strictly star Ore Oduba says he's 'lost thousands' as he opens up on 30-year porn addiction

The pull of pornography has been testing Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba ever since he was a kid.

First and foremost a TV presenter, known for his work on Newsround, BBC Breakfast and The One Show, Oduba's star burned brightest in 2016 by clinching the Glitterball trophy in the ballroom alongside professional dance partner Joanne Clifton.

Last year the 40-year-old revealed how his secret, 'life-destroying' addiction to porn has come at a cost and in a recent interview with The Sunday Times he said he had 'spent thousands' of pounds on pornography.

Ore Oduba was partnered with Joanne Clifton during Strictly Come Dancing. (Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images)

Asked by the publication if he supports any charities, Oduba namechecked sex addiction charity the Naked Truth Project.

"They do incredible things for people and their families," he noted. "The reason I spoke out is because it's such a prevalent issue affecting so many people.

"I've spent thousands on pornography. It makes me burn that this is what our children are inheriting and what we're doing as adults is relinquishing our responsibility to regulate it.

"That's why I wanted to highlight the dangers of explicit imagery online. It's so blindingly obviously as an issue, but very few people are willing to talk about it."

Last year speaking to Paul C Brunson on the We Need to Talk podcast, it was revealed that Oduba's spiral began three decades ago after he was exposed to adult imagery.

He said that he was finally able to 'escape' his addiction at the beginning of 2024 and told Brunson, who appears in Celebs Go Dating as an dating coach: "Nine, that is when my addiction started, when I was introduced to pornography, and I think only after everything that has happened, understanding how much of a thread that had been throughout my life, was I finally able to escape it."

The TV star recounted being shown it by a friend's older brother, conceding that it had gone on to 'destroying [his] life from the inside out.'

"Whilst I wouldn't say addiction set in immediately, the intrigue set in immediately and it didn't take long for that intrigue to start running my mind over."

Oduba spoke about how he became a 'master masker', hiding the addiction from his family and essentially living 'two lives.'

If you want friendly, confidential advice about porn addiction, you can talk to Rehab Recovery. You can call 0800 088 66 86, request a call back, or speak to the 24/7 chat on their website.