Strictly Star's Ex-Wife Declares Marriage 'Ruined' After Divorce
Portia Jett, the ex-wife of Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba, has publicly admitted that her perception of marriage has been utterly "ruined" following their devastating divorce. In a candid revelation, she has pledged to never walk down the aisle again, citing the immense stress and emotional toll of the separation process.
A Transformative View on Matrimony
After nine years of marriage that ended in 2024, Portia now holds a "different view" of matrimony, which she attributes to the painful fallout from her split with the television presenter. She shares two children, Roman and Genie, with Ore, and the experience has left her so disillusioned that she declared she would "never" subject herself to marriage again. This shift in perspective is not just personal; Portia has indicated she would offer different advice to her children based on her ordeal.
The divorce process, as Portia described it, was "one of the hardest and most stressful thing I have ever been through." She emphasized that the strain was overwhelming, leading to her firm stance against remarriage. Reports suggest that Ore's disclosure of a long-standing porn addiction, spanning over 30 years, may have contributed to the lasting impact, though the primary source of distress appears to be the aftermath of the separation itself.
Moving Forward with New Commitments
Despite swearing off marriage, Portia has not abandoned love entirely. She is reportedly dating Joshua Saxon Birch, a 37-year-old British-German businessman. However, instead of traditional vows, she now seeks a long-term romantic pledge in the form of a "promise ring," symbolizing a commitment without the legal and emotional complexities of marriage.
Ore and Portia first met while studying at Loughborough University in 2010 and married five years later at Penshurst Place in Kent in 2015. Their relationship culminated in Ore winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 with professional dancer Joanne Clifton, a victory he described as "completely unexpected." In 2024, when announcing their separation, Ore expressed gratitude for the love they had received and thanked people for respecting their privacy during what he called a "difficult transition."
Life After the Split
On the Extraordinary Life Stories podcast last year, Ore opened up about his post-divorce life, describing it as a "completely different life" after the "painful" breakdown. He shared, "My wife and I split up 12 months ago. And the life before that and the life that I've grown into are just ... entirely different. There's nothing, there are no similarities whatsoever."
Ore revealed that this transformation was "definitely painful," but he had "found himself" through the process. He also spoke about his faith, admitting he "wasn't the best Christian" and had been very in touch with his spirituality until his Strictly Come Dancing journey. During the show, he would pray every Friday night about the Saturday performances, aiming to put his "best foot forward" and deliver standout routines.
The fallout from their divorce has clearly reshaped both their lives, with Portia's vow against marriage highlighting the profound personal changes that can follow such a public and emotional split. As they navigate their new paths, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and transformations that accompany high-profile relationships.
