Ore Oduba unveils new ‘serendipity’ tattoo after revealing a devastating porn addiction has ‘destroyed his life’ since the age of nine

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Ore Oduba recently got a new tattoo following his public disclosure of a long-standing struggle with pornography addiction, which he says began in childhood and significantly impacted his life.

The 39-year-old, who previously won Strictly Come Dancing, shared a photo on Instagram on Thursday revealing a new tattoo just below his left collarbone.

The tattoo featured the word ‘Serendipity’ along with an outline of a butterfly. 

Alongside the image, Ore penned: ‘Tattoo no.10.

‘Serendipity… if I could sum up this year in one word it would be this…

There are times when certain signs are impossible to miss. This year, I’ve often found myself overwhelmed – either deeply upset or completely astonished – by what’s happening around me, and I’ve realized it’s like something magical is at play.

I know everyone isn’t religious, but my faith has really helped me through the past couple of years.

I genuinely think that no matter what you believe, if you allow yourself to be open to something bigger than yourself – a power beyond our understanding – you’ll start to notice clear signs and evidence of it.

‘In my experience, there’s been no greater guide… than my gut and my faith,

‘Shoutout to my wonderful @lunalanatattoo @the.cove.tatto.mrc for another perfect piece.

He also mentioned getting his eleventh tattoo, scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th, at 11:00 AM, noting it was a complete coincidence.

It comes after Ore revealed he has battled a porn addiction since the age of nine.

The television personality recently told Paul Brunson on his podcast, ‘We Need To Talk,’ that he overcame his addiction just a year and a half ago.

He explained that it took him three decades, along with the loss of two loved ones and a divorce, to finally feel able to speak openly about what he had been through. For thirty years, he’d kept silent due to shame.

Look, I just had to share this. This dad, a father of two just like so many of us, felt it was so important to finally talk about what’s happening with kids and all the inappropriate stuff they’re seeing online. He really wanted to bring attention to this issue, because it’s terrifying what’s out there on social media and how easily kids can stumble across it. He felt like he had to speak up now, and honestly, I think he’s a hero for doing so!

Ore spoke with deep emotion, explaining that he was risking everything to protect his own children and to help other young people navigate a world where harmful content is easily accessible online.

He admitted to being mostly terrified, feeling that this moment marks a major turning point and the true start of the rest of his life.

Ore recalled first seeing adult content on a computer when he was younger, shown it by a friend’s older brother. He described feeling curious and like he was discovering something new. While he didn’t become addicted right away, he was immediately interested.

It didn’t take long for me to become really curious, because at nine years old, you don’t fully understand things yet.

She was fascinated and wanted to understand that feeling, to recapture it through different media like television or magazines, or to find similar experiences elsewhere.

The core issue with this addiction is something even a child could grasp. It’s deeply embarrassing, and people avoid discussing it because it feels like the very worst parts of ourselves – everything we dislike and condemn.

Growing up in Dorset, Ore explained that his strict father made it impossible for him to confide in his family about his addiction. He recalled how even a minor infraction – like a sibling being caught smoking at school – was dealt with harshly, creating an environment where he felt unable to share his struggles.

He recounted how his lawyer father, while living and working in Nigeria, had warned the family that if a similar situation occurred, they would all be sent to live and be raised in Nigeria under his care. He explained that for a child around nine or ten years old, such a change would feel like the end of their world as they knew it.

Ore shared that his father, who passed away in 2023, led their family through intimidation, and as a child, Ore felt he had to suppress his creative side and mask what he now recognizes as symptoms of ADHD.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen this pattern so many times. It’s heartbreaking, but sadly common. This man shared with me that even as a grown adult, the deep shame surrounding his addiction kept him from confiding in anyone. He carried that burden alone for so long, afraid of judgment or misunderstanding. It really highlights how powerful shame can be, and how it can prevent people from getting the help they deserve.

I’ve always said the women in my life, the ones who stuck by me, are the most important people to me. What’s happening now feels like it goes against that. Even though I was going through a really tough time, I never let it change what I believed to be true about those relationships.

I was close to my two sisters and mother, but I kept a secret from them because I feared it would cause conflict. I struggled with addiction, and felt I had to hide it, which was a very lonely experience.

It felt like a core part of who I am, something I naturally turned to for comfort. Whenever I felt down, like I didn’t matter or wasn’t accepted, it was always there for me.

Ore explained he felt it was important to speak up now to help people understand the issue, particularly as his children, Roman (age 7) and Genie (age 4), are growing up.

As a parent, I felt it was really important to address this topic. I want to be prepared to talk to my kids when they inevitably encounter these things – and help them navigate it all, honestly and openly.

Everyone faces challenges in life, whether it’s struggles with addiction, financial issues, or other difficulties. I realized this was something I had to deal with proactively.

He explained that this is a major societal issue, pointing out how easily children are exposed to it – often accidentally, on devices like iPads, and increasingly as something considered normal. He warned that if this continues, children will begin to learn about it on their own, without guidance.

Ore became a household name after appearing on the 2016 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Winning the show’s final – which was the most-watched final ever – instantly made the children’s TV presenter a star, bringing him a level of fame he hadn’t known before.

He says the show helped him finally be himself, after growing up feeling like he had to suppress his personality.

After finding success on the BBC show, his nine-year marriage to Portia Jett ended, and he felt pressured to hide his true self once more.

For about twenty years, I was trying to be who I believed others expected me to be. I focused so much on presenting a perfect image – the kind you see all over social media – that I felt pressured to keep up that facade.

In 2024, Ore confirmed his split with Portia.

If you’re struggling with similar issues support can be found at The Naked Truth Project.

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2025-11-13 15:20