Ore sings in the rain

ORE Oduba hopes he can wow viewers with his singing as much as with his dancing.

The Strictly champ will perform a number from Singin’ In the Rain on tonight’s Children in Need – but a different one from the Gene Kelly title song he danced to last year.

He reckons he wouldn’t be doing it if he didn’t think he could pull it off in style.

Ore, 32 today, says: “I wouldn’t put myself on the stage if I didn’t feel confident we could put on a really special performance. I’ve been working hard at it.

“Hopefully, the singing will be as up to scratch as the dancing.”

He was inspired to take lessons by his Strictly partner Joanne Clifton, who quit the BBC show to star in a production of Flashdance.

TV sports presenter Ore says: “I didn’t have a career change in mind but wanted to add that string to the bow. I love showbiz and entertainment, and that’s part of my world now.”

Next, he tries his hand at live presenting, as the host of the Strictly tour from January.

But there’s a hitch, as that’s when his wife Portia expects their first child. He says: “We’ll make it work. You’ve got to be ready.

“I’ll be there for my wife and new addition in whatever shape or form I can manage.” Children in Need is on BBC One at 7.30pm.

LESSONS Ore is now on song