Strictly Come Dancing 2024 odds 'decide' winner before live shows start as odds slashed

None of this year's celebrities have even danced for the judges yet, but the Strictly Come Dancing winner has already been 'decided' as one star pulls ahead of his rivals, having seen odds on him clinching victory slashed over the last few days.

Some 20 years after it launched on BBC, Strictly is back for a brand new series, with it launching on Saturday night as the stars on this year's line-up met their pro partners and took part in a group number, as millions tuned in. The famous faces competing for the Glitterball trophy this time round include Love Island's Tasha Ghouri, TOWIE favourite Pete Wicks, ex footballer Paul Merson and DIY host Nick Knowles.

And while, bookmakers have ruled out Paul and Nick's chances in the ballroom, with both being tipped for an early Strictly exit, it's JLS star JB Gill who has climbed to the top of the odds and is going into this Saturday's first live show as the one to beat. At the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon, singer and TV host JB was 7/2 frontrunner with William Hill, ahead of Tasha who was the favourite just a few weeks ago.

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Elsewhere in the pack, Shayne Ward is in third spot on 6/1, with former athlete turned Gladiators star Montelle Douglas on 13/2, after Strictly fans were impressed by her and pro partner Johannes Radebe during Saturday's launch. Discussing the odds, William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “The Strictly stars are about to take to the ballroom for another new series and the stars have aligned for singer JB Gill as he’s now a firm favourite to sweep the Glitterball Trophy with partner Amy Dowden, at 7/2 from as big as 7/1 last week.

"After the pairings were announced at the weekend, Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri has gone the other way in the market, drifting out to 5/1 from 4/1, while former X Factor star Shayne Ward has also taken a walk in the betting at 6/1 from 3/1. Keep an eye too on Montell Douglas who could well be a hit in the dance floor, with the multi-talented GB athlete now 13/2 from 20/1.”