Strictly Come Dancing win was 'most unexpected' says Ore Oduba

BBC sports presenter says he intends to continue dancing and is looking forward to reuniting for tour after his surprise victory

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba has said Saturday night’s victory was “the most unexpected moment” of his life.

The BBC sports presenter upset bookmakers’ predictions to waltz off with the glitterball trophy. Oduba and his professional partner, Joanne Clifton, beat former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp and Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac in a finale watched by 13.1 million viewers.

The final also marked the last live show of head judge Len Goodman, who is stepping down after 12 years.

Speaking after the result was announced, Oduba said the victory “doesn’t make any sense”, adding: “I cannot believe it, we did not even consider this [winning], not even for a single week of this.”

Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, whose routines on the show had appalled the judges, captivated the nation and almost saw him reach the quarter-finals, wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that he had expected Redknapp to win. “Going into the final, Louise clearly had the edge. She’d never been in the dance-off and had clearly struck a chord with lots of people around the country,” he wrote.

Mac was “definitely banging on the door to win”, Balls added. But Oduba, who had no previous dance experience, had improved the most over the course of the series “and because the show is importantly about the amateur improving, that was Ore’s calling card”. Balls reprised his unforgettable Gangnam Style dance for the finale’s group-dance performance.

Ladbrokes ranked Oduba as a 7/1 outsider, writing before the finale that it was a “toss-up between long-time favourite Danny Mac and Louise Redknapp”.

But on the night, Oduba and Clifton narrowly beat their rivals, scoring two perfect 40s and dropping a single point for their revisiting of Singing in the Rain, which was watched by Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia, in the audience.

After the victory, Oduba praised his wife, Portia, for being his “anchor” and described how much it meant to have his parents, who had travelled from Nigeria, in the audience.

Oduba said: “She’s supported us so much and just been my absolute anchor, and my mum and dad just being here, they’ve sacrificed so much, both of our parents have sacrificed so much for us in our lives, so for them to be here and see this, the most unexpected moment of my life, is just incredible.”

Oduba said he was looking forward to Christmas and planned to take a two-week holiday. He will return to sports presenting but intends to dance for the rest of his life. “I can’t think of a time when I will not be dancing now. It’s just, it is in me now, I can’t not dance,” he said.

Clifton paid tribute to her older brother Kevin, who partnered Redknapp in his fourth final but has yet to win the trophy. “I just said sorry to him because he’s made four finals and he’s never won it yet,” she said, adding: “I was away from my family for 14 years living in Italy and I didn’t see him that much and since I’ve come back, he’s been a big brother to me again.”

Oduba said he was looking forward to reuniting with the cast for the Strictly tour, which starts in Birmingham next month. “We don’t get to see the fans who’ve been so supportive of us on this journey so to be able to go out and show it to people in January through to March will be amazing because they love this show,” he said.

Oduba added: “Len will be there, we’re going to give him another swan song, it’s going to be exceptional and I can’t wait.”

Contributor

Alice Ross

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Motsi Mabuse to join Strictly Come Dancing judging panel
Mabuse, whose sister Oti dances on the show, will replace judge Darcey Bussell

Poppy Noor

22, Jul, 2019 @5:25 PM

Article image
Kym Marsh to miss Strictly Come Dancing due to Covid, says BBC
Actor and her dance partner will not take part this weekend but will remain in competition

Josh Halliday

22, Nov, 2022 @3:31 PM

Article image
Strictly Come Dancing triumphs in Christmas Day TV ratings battle
BBC1 claims first and second most popular programmes as more than 7.2m tune in for dance show and 6.3m watch Bake Off

Esther Addley

26, Dec, 2016 @1:45 PM

Article image
Strictly Come Dancing opener with first same-sex couple proves a hit
BBC show scores highest first-day ratings in three years as Covid rules change its feel

Lanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondent

18, Oct, 2020 @3:07 PM

Article image
Strictly Come Dancing final set to be a ratings triumph whoever wins
The BBC show’s latest series has recorded the best viewing figures for years thanks in part to Covid rules

Heidi Stephens

18, Dec, 2020 @8:38 PM

Article image
BBC drops Brendan Cole from Strictly Come Dancing
Professional dancer joined show at launch in 2004, but has sparred with judges

Nadia Khomami

30, Jan, 2018 @12:50 PM

Article image
Strictly Come Dancing launch show draws more than 10m viewers
BBC1’s ballroom dancing show beats opening weekend of ITV’s X Factor, which sees lowest launch ratings in 10 years

Damien Gayle

04, Sep, 2016 @4:06 PM

Article image
Strictly Come Dancing to celebrate BBC centenary with themed week
BBC show will also return to Blackpool Tower ballroom after two-year break in new series launching next month

Jessica Murray

21, Aug, 2022 @11:01 PM

Article image
Darcey Bussell quits Strictly Come Dancing
After seven years, Bussell waltzes out of the BBC’s hit dance show

Kate Abbott

10, Apr, 2019 @3:13 PM

Article image
Will Young quits Strictly Come Dancing on personal grounds
The singer and dance partner Karen Clifton were in joint fourth position but drew criticism from judge in last performance

Chris Johnston

11, Oct, 2016 @7:16 PM