Strictly's Ore Oduba shares tragic way sister's suicide 'changed his whole outlook'

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba has candidly opened up about how his life changed following the death of his sister Lola. In April, Lola died by suicide, and her death made her star brother have a major shift in his way of thinking.

Now, the presenter says he is going to make the most of every second in his life. The 39-year-old was raised in Dorset alongside his three siblings. His sister was the youngest in the family and had worked as a journalist and trained chef.

Lola, who had begun to identify as non-binary, had appeared on an episode of Come Dine With Me, but prior to their death, had faced a number of struggles.

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Following his sister's death, Ore paid a touching tribute during an appearance on John Reynolds' Extraordinary Life Stories podcast. He said: "I wasn't prepared to lose my sister. She has been with me every day since. My sister is non-binary, they told us in their goodbye letter.

"They've been with me every day since, and what my sister did in choosing to find a peace in death that they couldn't find in life; that was strength. That was courage and that was brave."

He went on: "And having gone through the last four or five years of their life and hearing about their struggles physically and emotionally, when actually my sister did more living in the actual five years of their life than the previous 32, and still made a decision that they couldn't carry on living in this world.

"What they did for all of us in those last weeks, that has given me the strength every day and my responsibility now is to carry that legacy because nothing is hard compared to what my sister went through."

Ore added that nobody knows when their time on earth will end and it has made him sit up and make the most of any time he has left.

"I can't say enough when you have been through something that puts life into perspective - your whole outlook changes," he added.

The broadcast won the Glitter Ball Trophy alongside Joanne Clifton in 2016. Since his victory, he has become a household name. It has helped launch an impressive career in TV and radio presenting.

He has also turned to acting and West End performances. Earlier this year, Ore played the part of Caractacus Potts in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And he is also starring in the world premiere tour of Picture You Dead.

In the production, he is portraying the part of eccentric art collector Stuart Piper. His character becomes entangled in a web of stolen art, gripping the audience.

*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

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