The Shame That Silenced Me For 30 Years: Strictly’s Ore Oduba “I’m Sharing This To Save My Children”

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba opens up about addiction for the first time - and the secret he’s carried for over 30 years. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction. In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Ore shares how he was first exposed at just nine years old - and the lifelong impact it had on his identity, confidence, and relationships. He also reflects on the emotional scars of growing up in fear, the silence he carried into adulthood, and the private battles behind his public success. Ore shares: ◽ Why he lived in fear of his father for years ◽ The grief of losing his father and sister in such a short space of time ◽ How he felt like he was dying inside - while living what looked like a “perfect” life ◽ How Strictly Come Dancing became his awakening ◽ Why the West End reignited his joy and love for performing ◽ Why he struggled to open up, even to those closest to him ◽ How he’s learning to rewrite the story for himself, and for his children Ore Oduba, We Need To Talk. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Samaritans: https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb Naked Truth Project: https://g2ul0.app.link/JPSkS5mNZXb Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod 00:00 Intro 01:39 Ore on the Conversation 03:01 Growing Up in Dorset 06:09 Black Identity in 1990s Dorset 11:15 Childhood and Family Dynamics 14:06 Did Ore Feel Loved? 16:33 Early Love for Performing 20:45 Breaking Into TV Presenting 28:15 Ore on Newsround 32:36 Dealing With Media Scrutiny 34:19 Winning Strictly Come Dancing 45:20 Life After Strictly 47:38 Hiding Behind a Facade 52:40 Adobe Express Ad 53:41 Relationship With His Brother 1:03:28 Losing His Sister 1:07:44 Mental Health and Identity 1:12:32 Learning of His Father’s Death 1:15:29 Ore’s 30-Year Addiction Struggle 1:32:40 Adult Content Use Among Young