Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing Next Presenter Odds – Zoe Ball and Emma Willis head betting
The race to become the next face of Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly entering its final stages, with insiders claiming the shortlist has been reduced to two names.
According to industry sources, Zoe Ball and Emma Willis are now the leading contenders as BBC executives shape the show’s next chapter.
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Zoe Ball | 4/7 |
| Emma Willis | 5/6 |
| Fleur East | 7/4 |
| Rylan Clarke | 2/1 |
| Alan Carr | 3/1 |
| Amanda Holden | 3/1 |
| Holly Willoughby | 4/1 |
| Janette Manrara | 4/1 |
| Stacey Dooley | 5/1 |
| Hamza Yassin | 6/1 |
It is understood bosses are keen to maintain an all-female presenting line-up following the exits of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. That approach appears to have edged out reported interest from male stars including Alan Carr and Bradley Walsh.
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Several high-profile figures were previously linked with the vacancy, among them Angela Scanlon, but insiders suggest the contest is now a straight shoot-out between Ball and Willis.
Ball, 55, stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December, a decision that sparked speculation she was preparing for a major television commitment.
She is closely associated with the Strictly brand, having fronted spin-off series Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and hosted the live tour, giving her strong ties to the format and its audience.
Willis, 49, is widely regarded as a seasoned live presenter. She previously anchored Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother during their Channel 5 run, earning praise for her calm presence during high-pressure broadcasts.
No formal announcement has yet been made by the BBC, but industry talk suggests a decision could be revealed soon. For now, both presenters remain firmly in the frame, with sources insisting the role will go to just one of them.
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.