Ore Oduba has responded to rumours surrounding himself and Laura Whitmore after the pair were photographed holding hands in a hotel. Ore, who met Laura on Strictly Come Dancing last year, reposted one of her photos showing the two friends striking a dance pose. The BBC sports presenter was pictured holding onto the Irish model as she leant back. "I'll be there to hold your hand for many years to come," Ore, 31, quipped, clearly poking fun at the hotel photos of them walking hand-in-hand. He added: "#thatswhatfriendsarefor #happyanniversary."
Laura, 32, replied in a comment, writing: "Aw mate. You're a good one! Wait til we release that cd 'the best of Disney.. the made up lyrics edition'." She had captioned her original photo: "This day one year ago I met this guy @oreodubaofficial and now I have a friend… and dance floor buddy for life ❤️ love ya xx."
Ore Oduba poked fun at the hotel photos
The photo was taken at the BAFTA TV Awards, which took place at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night. Both Ore, who attended the ceremony without his wife Portia, and Laura attended the afterparty, where they were seen joking around and making use of the photobooth. The pair then continued partying at the Mondrian Hotel further down the Southbank, just a few minutes' walk away from the awards venue.
Laura, 32, has also been sharing various snaps from the night. She wrote on Instagram: "Thank you @Bafta for a wonderful evening. Congrats to all the nominees and winners. And Sue Perkins for being an absolute legend. So empowering for a woman in the TV industry."
Ore Oduba and Laura Whitmore at the BAFTA TV afterparty
Ore and his wife Portia married in Kent in 2015. For their first wedding anniversary last winter, the TV star opened up about his love for his gorgeous wife. "I knew she was The One straight away," he told HELLO! magazine. "From the first two months, we talked about wanting children. The way we are with each other hasn't dipped or changed. I know it will always be fine when Portia is here."
But in March, Ore admitted that starting a family wasn't quite on the cards yet. When quizzed by chat show host Lorraine about the possibility of having babies soon, Ore replied: "Are you going to get on my back with the babies, as well as my mum and dad?" Clearly feeling the pressure, he teased: "Give us a break! Give us a chance! We haven't got the time… Last year we spent about a day together."