BBC television presenter Ore Oduba has made a startling revelation about the dark side of his Strictly Come Dancing experience, confessing he developed an unexpected addiction following his 2016 victory that threatened to overwhelm his life.
The Glitterball Hangover
Oduba, who triumphed with professional dancer Joanne Clifton in the fourteenth series, described experiencing what he calls a "massive comedown" after the intense competition ended. The presenter found himself compulsively chasing the adrenaline high that the show provided.
"I became addicted to the buzz," Oduba revealed. "When it finished, I was like, 'Right, what's next? What's next? What's next?' I couldn't sit still."
The Impact on Family Life
The television personality admitted this compulsive behaviour began affecting his relationship with his wife, Portia, and their family life. His relentless pursuit of the next challenge meant he was constantly distracted and unable to properly engage with his loved ones.
"I was just chasing the next thing and the next thing," he confessed. "Portia would be talking to me and I'd be looking straight through her."
A Turning Point
Oduba's wake-up call came when he recognised the pattern in his behaviour. The realisation that he was prioritising the next "high" over his family prompted him to make significant changes to his approach to work and life.
The presenter has since learned to appreciate quieter moments and has developed strategies to maintain better work-life balance, acknowledging that the intense Strictly experience taught him valuable lessons about managing success and its aftermath.
The Strictly Effect
Oduba's experience highlights what some psychologists call "post-reality TV syndrome," where contestants struggle to adjust to normal life after the intense, high-pressure environment of television competitions. His candid confession adds to growing conversations about the mental health challenges facing reality TV participants.
