Long-time host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (WWTBAM) Frank Edoho has opened up about how allegations of domestic violence nearly cost him his hosting role on the popular game show.
In a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, Frank discussed his marriage to his ex-wife, Katherine Obiang, describing their union as a “mismatch” and acknowledging shared responsibility for their marital struggles.
“My ex-wife was my friend, and there were children involved. I think ours was a mismatch; I was young. When she got pregnant, I had cold feet, but I still got married. It lasted seven years, and in 2010, I left. Three years after, I remarried,” he said.
Reflecting on the failed marriage, Frank noted the importance of distinguishing between friendship and compatibility in marriage.
“Being friends with the opposite sex doesn’t mean you should get married because that’s a different ball game. In hindsight, maybe I should have thought about it a bit more,” he added.
Frank denied being solely at fault for the collapse of the marriage, stating: “She was my good friend, but I think it was love too.
“I also think we didn’t look at each other very well before we delved into it. I’m not going to say it was only her fault; it was my fault too, but not in the way people were depicting it.”
Rumours of domestic violence began to circulate after their separation, putting Frank’s career in jeopardy.
He revealed that the allegations escalated to the point of attracting the attention of WWTBAM sponsors, who considered removing him as host.
“That was one of the times I was very depressed, but I couldn’t say anything. The first crisis happened in 2007, but I still stayed on for three years. Then it got to a head in 2010, and I left,” Edoho explained.
He recalled being summoned by the show’s sponsors after the rumours gained traction.
“I was in the UK when my boss called and told me to return to Lagos because the sponsors were hearing things about me. They said I wasn’t going to present the show anymore because of those rumours,” he said.
Frank recounted how he defended himself during a meeting with the sponsors, presenting evidence and detailing his side of the story.
“After listening to them, I told them I’ll tell them everything starting from when I was dating. By the time I reached marriage and the birth of my son and first daughter, two of the ladies were crying,” he said.
Katherine had accused Edoho of subjecting her to domestic violence during their seven-year marriage, which ended in 2011.
The former couple shares three children.
Edoho remarried Sandra Onyenuchenuya on April 2, 2014 and has since moved on with his life and career.
