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Who Is Ore Oduba? The 'Strictly Come Dancing' Contestant's 9 Facts In 90 Seconds

Ore began work as one of the BBC's youngest ever presenters.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has taken its first narrative twist this weekend, with Ore Oduba, and not early favourite Danny Mac, scoring the first tens of this year’s contest from the judges, and winning viewers’ hearts with his emotional response.

Ore is dancing with Joanne Clifton and scored 39 points out of a possible 40 for his jive this weekend. This follows his triumph in the American Smooth last week, a performance that earned him praise from Gene Kelly’s widow Patricia, no less.

So who is Ore, and what else do we know about him?

1. A prodigious start

Ore is one of the BBC’s most popular faces, ever since he became one of its youngest presenters - he got the ‘Newsround’ gig shortly after graduating.

2. Busy bee

Since then, he’s been busy fronting ‘Sportsround’, ‘Match of the Day: Kickabout’, ‘Claimed and Shamed’ and sporting events. He also presents sports bulletins on BBC Breakfast and 5 Live, as well as other sports-related programmes.

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Too cute
BBC

3. Road to Rio

He was on duty for this year’s Olympics in Rio, anchoring daily coverage on BBC Four.

4. Sporting chance

He’s no sad shakes himself in the sporting department - he used to play hockey to a high standard and remains an enthusiastic skier.

5. Charity effort

This has been a busy year for Ore. Prior to his ‘Strictly’ stint and Olympics business, he joined a Sports Relief Hell on the High Seas challenge that saw him sailing 1,000 miles between Belfast and London (did they take a wrong turn?)

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“Always strive for perfection, even if it’s completely unrealistic.”
BBC

6. Beginnings

He was born in London to Nigerian parents, before moving to Dorset, where he went to school.

7. Just in case we didn’t realise he liked sport...

He studied Sports Science and Social Science at Loughborough University.

8. Why???

He supports Manchester United.

9. Not to be underestimated

He is extremely competitive. He tells the BBC of his ‘Strictly’ quest: “Always strive for perfection, even if it’s completely unrealistic.”

Pictures from the Strictly launch 2016 below. Tap the first picture to open our slideshow:

'Strictly' 2016 Launch
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(01 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Anastacia and Laura Whitmore arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(02 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Len Goodman arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(03 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Louise Redknapp, Will Young and Naga Muchetty arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(04 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Joanne Clifton and Anton du Beke arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(05 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Greg Rutherford, Brendan Cole and Daisy Lowe arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(06 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Claudia Fragapane, Ed Balls and Anastacia arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(07 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Greg Rutherford and Daisy Lowe arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(08 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Greg Rutherford and Daisy Lowe arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(09 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Robert Rinder arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(10 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Lesley Joseph arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(11 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Louise Redknapp arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(12 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Louise Redknapp arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(13 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Naga Muchetty arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(14 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(15 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Kevin Clifton and Karen Clifton arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(16 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Tameka Empson arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(17 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Greg Rutherford arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(18 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Daisy Lowe arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 Arrivals at Elstree Studios, HertfordshireFeaturing: Oksana PlateroWhere: Elstree, United KingdomWhen: 30 Aug 2016Credit: WENN.com(19 of34)
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(credit:WENN.com)
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 Arrivals at Elstree Studios, HertfordshireFeaturing: Will YoungWhere: Elstree, United KingdomWhen: 30 Aug 2016Credit: WENN.com(20 of34)
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(credit:WENN.com)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(21 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Laura Whitmore and Ed Balls arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(22 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Tess Daly arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(23 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Laura Whitmore arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(24 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Anastacia arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(25 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Brendan Cole arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(26 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Joanne Clifton arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(27 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Various Celebrities,Dancers,and Judges Take Part In The BBC Strictly 2016 Launch Event.Held At Elstree Studios. Borehamwood,Hertfordshire.Uk.30/08/16

Pictured: Ed BallsRef: SPL1338511 310816
Picture by: Steve Finn/Splashnews

(28 of34)
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(credit:Steve Finn/Splashnews)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(29 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Craig Revel Horwood arrives for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(30 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Janette Manrara and Ed Balls arrive for the Red Carpet Launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Various Celebrities,Dancers,and Judges Take Part In The BBC Strictly 2016 Launch Event.Held At Elstree Studios. Borehamwood,Hertfordshire.Uk.30/08/16

Pictured: Greg Rutherford;Daisy LoweRef: SPL1338511 310816
Picture by: Steve Finn/S

(31 of34)
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(credit:Steve Finn/Splashnews)
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - ArrivalsFeaturing: Katya JonesWhere: Borehamwood, United KingdomWhen: 30 Aug 2016Credit: Lia Toby/WENN.com(32 of34)
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(credit:Lia Toby/WENN.com)
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 - ArrivalsFeaturing: Danny MacWhere: Borehamwood, United KingdomWhen: 30 Aug 2016Credit: Lia Toby/WENN.com(33 of34)
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(credit:Lia Toby/WENN.com)
'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' - Red Carpet Launch(34 of34)
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BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Melvin Odoom arrives for the launch of 'Strictly Come Dancing 2016' at Elstree Studios on August 30, 2016 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/WireImage) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
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