Strictly Come Dancing BBC bookmaker odds on first to leave as three celebs singled out

Strictly Come Dancing judges (left to right) Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke
-Credit: (Image: Rob Parfitt/BBC/PA Wire)


Bookmakers have spelt out their view on which celebrity will be voted out first as Strictly Come Dancing prepares to return to the BBC. The much-loved show, which has been rocked by controversy in recent months, begins its latest series on BBC One on Saturday at 7.20pm - and the bookies are already eyeing up the winner.

Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Shayne Ward, JB Gill, Wynne Evans, Paul Merson and Sam Quek and Nick Knowles are among those taking part. The other celebrities are Toyah Willcox, Dr. Punam Krishan, Montell Douglas (aka Fire), Sarah Hadland, Chris McCausland, Jamie Borthwick and Tom Dean MBE.

But as the celebs prepare to begin their journey and partner up with the show's professional dancers, viewers will already be weighing up who they think could make it all the way - and who could leave early.

The show sees one contestant voted out each week, although nobody is eliminated in the opening weekend as dancers begin their odyssey.

Now bookmakers at Betway have spelt out who, sadly, they think won't last long, reports the Express. Chad Yeomans, Betway's spokesperson, said: "We can't split Nick Knowles, Paul Merson and Wynne Evans in the odds and make them all joint favourites at 4/1 to be first out of this year's Strictly competition. All three don't appear to be your stereotypical dancers and may struggle for rhythm and grace and are therefore most likely to be quickstepping off the Strictly stage early on."

At the opposite end of the scale, Sam, Shayne, and Tasha are seen as least likely to face an early exit. Oddschecker has JB Gill, who was in the band JLS, as the early favourite at 4/1.

Tasha Ghouri, a deaf former Love Island contestant, is second favourite at 5/1, ahead of former X Factor winner Shayne Ward at 6/1.

They have Nick Knowles and Paul Merson at 4/1 as the most likely to be out first. They make Dr. Punam Krishan the third most likely to go at 5/1.

Paul Merson said he is taking part to give his mum “the credit she deserves”. The former Arsenal midfielder said: “It’s because of my mum.

"I always say my dad played a big role in me becoming a professional footballer, but my mum doesn’t get the credit she deserves. She loves the show, so it’s nice for her.”

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles said: “Once it was confirmed, I knew I needed to get back to fighting weight. So, I’ve been on a tough fitness regime, losing eight kilos in five weeks, with about four or five more to go.

“I’m following my old rugby training routine because I used to really enjoy the off-season, eating and drinking well. That’s the first part. The second part is the actual training, focusing on getting fit and losing weight to be ready to compete.”

Singer Toyah Willcox said: “Ann Widdecombe, I loved her strength of personality, her conviction, her self-confidence. I mean, that’s a real focus point for me. If I’m feeling I can’t do something, I just channel my inner Ann Widdecombe.”

But despite her Strictly role model’s comic performances, Willcox said some of her dances would “flow like water”.