Strictly star’s ‘terror’ facing 12 months of unemployment after winning series-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

(Picture: PA)

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba has spoken about his struggles to find work after a huge career change.

The 39-year-old decided to turn his back on TV presenting after shooting to fame on BBC’s Newsround to pursue musical theatre after lifting the Glitterball Trophy.

However, being a freelance actor means that Ore is regularly staring unemployment down the barrel of a gun, a prospect that he said he found ‘terrifying.’

Until a couple of months ago, the performer also said he had no worked lined up for 2025, but has now secured a role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in March.

He told The Sun on behalf of SlotsCalendar: ‘I finished Pretty Woman in September and I received a call two days after to say I got Chitty [Chitty Bang Bang].

‘And up until that point, I was basically unemployed for all of 2025. It’s just quite terrifying. It’s the self-employed life.

Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 28:(FOR EVENING STANDARD USE ONLY) Ore Oduba attends The 2023 Royal Television Society Programme Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 28, 2023 in London, England.Pic Credit: Dave Benett
Photographer: David M. Benett
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Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2023 David M. Benett(Credits: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

‘Especially when contracts can be quite long periods. And if you’re holding out for something and you haven’t got that big chunk taken up, it just looks really freaking empty. So, we’ve gotten very fortunate to have panto.’

Ore is currently starring in a pantomime production of Aladdin in Royal Tunbridge Wells before he takes on the role of Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The TV star previously spoke about how his marriage to Portia became ‘difficult’ due to his schedule after Strictly. In October, the couple, who share two children Roman, six, and Genie, three, announced their split.

After winning Strictly in 2016 pro dancer Joanne Clifton, he spent 12 months on and off the road in The Rocky Horror Show tour, which resulted in ‘a difficult chapter’ at home.

Ore previously spoke about the ‘difficult’ impact of his work on his marriage (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

From a work perspective, it was amazing, an incredible job,’ he told OK of the nationwide tour. ‘But at home it was a difficult chapter to negotiate.’

Ore also confessed he didn’t realise the impact his schedule after Strictly would have on his family life.

He explained: ‘I had a romantic view of parenting before I became a dad.

‘I thought, “We’ll go on holidays all the time and it will be hunky dory and rosy,” but actually it’s very difficult to juggle everything.’

Ore announced on Instagram earlier this year he had split from Portia (Picture: Ore Oduba/Instagram)

Ore confirmed their split on Instagram and said: ‘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.’

Ore and Portia first met at Loughborough University in 2010 and tied the knot five years later.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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