Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing 1st Elimination favourite REVEALED
The countdown is on for the glitterball as Strictly Come Dancing waltzes back onto BBC One and iPlayer from Saturday, September 20.
The bookies have ALREADY revealed the celebrity most fancied to be eliminated in Week 1.
Dave James, TV Odds Analyst at Whataretheodds.co.uk comments:
“Bookies have made Ross King the favourite to go in Week 1. The TV presenter and entertainment correspondent on Lorraine has interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars. He’s personable and polished, but the odds suggest he’ll need an unforgettable Week 1 to avoid the chop.“
“Ross is likeable, but at these odds, the market says he’s vulnerable. Charm doesn’t always translate to the dancefloor. At 66/1, the bookmakers clearly expect him to be one of the first names voted off – and unless he pulls off a surprise in week one, he could be the series’ early casualty. A standout Week 1 is crucial for him.“
Actor Lewis Cope is the early frontrunner to go all the way and lift the famous crown at 3/1 (25% chance) with Ellie Goldstein close behind at 4/1 (20%).
Reality TV favourite Dani Dyer is not far adrift at 9/2 (18%), while former England footballer Karen Carney sits at 7/1 (12%).
Other notable names in this year’s line-up include architect George Clarke (9/1), TV personality Vicky Pattison (12/1), and Paralympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (16/1).
Bookmakers also list outsider Thomas Skinner at 16/1 (6%) after the businessman recently made headlines with a candid confession about cheating on his wife.
Speaking about the frontrunners, betting analyst Dave James commented:
“Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope has the charisma and acting background that often works well on Strictly. He’s comfortable performing and could become a real crowd favourite. Ellie Goldstein, on the other hand, represents something genuinely fresh for the show her modelling career has broken barriers, and her story could really resonate with the public. Both are strong contenders to make the final.”
At the longer end of the odds are soap star Alex Kingston (18/1), drag performer La Voix (33/1), and former footballers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Chris Robshaw.
Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis and Good Morning Britain host Ross King are considered the rank outsiders.
| Contestant | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Cope | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Ellie Goldstein | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Dani Dyer | 9/2 | 18.0% |
| George Clarke | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Karen Carney | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Harry Aikines-Aryeetey | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Vicky Pattison | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Balvinder Sopal | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| La Voix | 14/1 | 6.7% |
| Thomas Skinner | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Alex Kingston | 16/1 | 5.9% |
| Chris Robshaw | 20/1 | 4.8% |
| Kristian Nairn | 22/1 | 4.3% |
| Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Stefan Dennis | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| Ross King | 66/1 | 2.9% |
With its mix of drama, sequins, and Saturday night sparkle, this year’s series promises another unmissable run and if the odds are anything to go by, fans should keep their eyes firmly on Lewis Cope and Ellie Goldstein.
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing Next Elimination Odds: Balvinder Sopal favourite ahead of live final
Balvinder Sopal has emerged as the clear favourite to be eliminated ahead of next week’s Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final as the competition reaches the semifinal stage, writes Dave James.
The BBC ballroom show returns this weekend with just four celebrities remaining and only one more elimination to come before the glittering Strictly Come Dancing Live final.
Each couple will perform two dances on Saturday night, with judges’ scores combined with the public vote to determine who makes it through.
According to the latest odds from the bookies, Balvinder Sopal is priced at 2/5 to leave the competition, despite having already made Strictly history by surviving a record five dance-offs this series.
While her resilience has been remarkable, the betting market suggests her luck may finally run out at the semi final hurdle. Amber Davies is the next most likely to depart based on current prices.
Its also the last but one show before Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman leave the show.
At the other end of the market, the race to lift the Glitterball Trophy remains finely balanced.
George Clarke leads the winner odds at 5/6, with Karen Carney close behind at 11/10. The pair have pulled clear of the field and are widely viewed as being locked in a two-horse race for the title.
Clarke holds a narrow edge for now, but Karen’s recent momentum means the odds could shift again depending on their semi-final performances.
What dances and songs will be performed?
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin will perform a Couple’s Choice routine to Fly Me to the Moon by Raye, followed by a Tango to Higher by Michael Bublé. Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon will take on a Waltz to At This Moment by Michael Bublé and a high-energy Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan.
George Clarke and Alexis Warr are set to dance a Charleston to We Speak No Americano by Yolanda Be Cool, as well as a Samba to Volare by the Gipsy Kings. Karen Carney and Carlos Gu will perform a Salsa to Turn the Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson before closing with a Waltz to One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston.
Looking specifically at the elimination market for Sunday, December 14, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon are odds-on at 2/5 to be the next couple voted out.
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin are priced at 5/1, while Karen Carney and Carlos Gu are available at 6/1. George Clarke and Alexis Warr are the outsiders to leave, with odds of 8/1.
With two dances each and everything still to play for, the semi-final promises high drama as Strictly edges closer to crowning its 2025 champion.
Strictly Come Dancing looks set to be a two horse race in 2025
After a dramatic week in the ballroom, the odds have shifted once again and bookmakers have now ‘named’ their clear favourite. With BBC’s iconic dancing competition in its 23rd series, and the final run with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the show is heading into a pivotal semi-final weekend.
George Clarke has reasserted himself at the top of the Strictly Come Dancing betting, with William Hill trimming the internet star into the 8/11 favourite to lift the Glitterball Trophy. His resurgence comes after a brief challenge from former England footballer Karen Carney, who has now drifted to 5/4.
Dave James of What Are The Odds said Clarke’s move back into odds-on territory “signals a major shift in momentum” ahead of the semi-finals.
“George Clarke has firmly reasserted himself at the top of the Strictly market, shortening to 8/11 from 6/5, and he may now be the one to beat,” he explained.
“Karen Carney had enjoyed a remarkable surge, but drifting to 5/4 from 5/6 suggests the tide has turned again. Balvinder Sopal and Amber Davies remain lively contenders, yet at 12/1 and 28/1 the market still views them as outsiders. With the competition heating up, punters are clearly anticipating a tight two-horse race as we head into the final stages.”
Behind the front runners, there is a notable gap in the market. Balvinder Sopal is priced at 12/1, while Amber Davies who has achieved several perfect scores this series — sits further back at 28/1.
With one of the four remaining celebrities set to lift the Glitterball Trophy later this month, Saturday night’s semi-final on BBC One promises to be crucial.
Will Clarke extend his lead, or can Carney mount one final challenge?
Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing into a brand new era as long time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have confirmed they’ll be stepping down at the end of the current series.
Tess Daly has fronted the show since its debut 21 years ago, while Claudia joined as co host in 2014, forming one of the most iconic presenting partnerships in British television. Their warmth, humour and on-screen chemistry have been key to the show’s enduring success.
With their exit confirmed, bookmakers have wasted no time releasing the Next Strictly Presenter odds on who could take over one of TV’s most glamorous hosting gigs.
Whataretheodds.co.uk have compiled the latest odds from across the bookmakers to bring the latest contenders.
Latest Odds to Replace Tess and Claudia
| Candidate | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Janette Manrara | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| Fleur East | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| Zoe Ball | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Roman Kemp | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Rylan Clark | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Alesha Dixon | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Oti Mabuse | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Alison Hammond | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Hannah Waddingham | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Holly Willoughby | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Whataretheodds.co.uk Celebrity Expert Dave James commented:
“I’m sure the BBC will be looking for a smooth transition and ‘Auntie’ always tends to look close to home when replacing presenters and a safe option will be paramount. Janette Manrara is the clear fan favourite and of course an expert on all things Strictly. “
“The It Takes Two presenter and former Strictly professional knows the show inside out and would bring warmth and familiarity to the role. If Tess and Claudia are the golden era of Strictly, Janette could easily be the start of the next. She’s rightly at the top of the market and I think she is the clear favourite.”
He added: “Fleur East is also another who has really impressed since joining It Takes Two and with Janette they have formed the perfect partnership. They look the perfect pairing at the moment. She’s confident and chrismatic, and really connects with the Strictly audience. She’d be a welcome addition to the flagship show and the BBC will surely be looking for a safe option.”
“At 3/1, Zoe Ball remains firmly in the running as well. She has the perfect mix of professionalism, having hosted It Takes Two for years, she’s got the experience to hit the ground running. ”
With the BBC expected to confirm their replacements early next year, all eyes will be on who can bring their own shine to the Strictly ballroom.