Strictly Come Dancing: Emily Atack Emerges As Front-Runner To Replace Jamie Laing

Ash Percival

The Inbetweeners star Emily Atack has been tipped to replace injured Jamie Laing on Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress and presenter has emerged as the bookies favourite to take to the floor in the Made In Chelsea star’s place, after he was forced to withdraw from the show on Thursday due to injury.

Bookmakers BetWay currently have Emily, who finished runner-up on last year’s I’m A Celebrity, listed at 9/2 to join the line-up, amid fan speculation about who will fill Jamie’s shoes.

Emily Atack is the favourite to land a spot on Strictly Come Dancing (Photo: SOPA Images via Getty Images)
Emily Atack is the favourite to land a spot on Strictly Come Dancing (Photo: SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Also said to be in the running are Jamie’s fellow Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, and ex-rugby turned cage fighter James Haskell.

The pair are listed at 9/2 at 8/1 respectively.

Jamie's pal Spencer Matthews could replace him (Photo: Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Jamie's pal Spencer Matthews could replace him (Photo: Samir Hussein via Getty Images)

Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright follow at 10/1, followed by reality star Gemma Collins at 12/1, former Great British Bake Off winner Nadyia Hussain at 14/1, while EastEnders’ Danny Dyer and TV personality Ulrika Johnson are both pegged at 16/1.

The BBC is yet to confirm whether they will be replacing Jamie, but bosses have said to expect “further information in due course”.

Could we finally see The GC on Strictly? (Photo: EMPICS Entertainment)
Could we finally see The GC on Strictly? (Photo: EMPICS Entertainment)

Jamie announced he had been forced to quit the BBC series after injuring his foot during the filming of the pre-recorded launch show last week.

He said in a statement: “I’m absolutely devastated that I’m unable to continue in the competition, I was so excited to hit the dance floor! I would like to wish the lovely couples all the very best and hope they enjoy their time on the show to the fullest.”

Earlier this week, Jamie was pictured using crutches and sporting a “moon boot”, with The Sun reporting he “landed awkwardly” on his foot during the group number in the launch show, which was filmed last Friday night.

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Jamie pulled out of the show after injuring his foot during filming (Photo: BBC)
Jamie pulled out of the show after injuring his foot during filming (Photo: BBC)

While Jamie is now out of the competition, he will still appear on Saturday’s episode, which sees the celebrities discover which professional dancer they’ll be performing with for the duration of their time on Strictly.

It has been reported bosses will insert an interview with Jamie explaining his exit into the show.

Among the 14 other celebrities taking to the floor this year are RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, EastEnders actress Emma Barton, former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, former England goalkeeper David James and comedian Chris Ramsey.

Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday at 7.10pm on BBC One.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: (L-R back row) Giovanni Pernice, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Aljaz Skorjanec, Johannes Radebe and Anton Du Beke (L-R front row) AJ Pritchard, Kevin Clifton and Graziano Di Prima attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: (L-R back row) Giovanni Pernice, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Aljaz Skorjanec, Johannes Radebe and Anton Du Beke (L-R front row) AJ Pritchard, Kevin Clifton and Graziano Di Prima attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: (L-R) Luba Mushtuk, Karen Clifton, Oti Mabuse, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu and Janette Manrara attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: (L-R) Luba Mushtuk, Karen Clifton, Oti Mabuse, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu and Janette Manrara attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: AJ Pritchard and Nancy Xu attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: AJ Pritchard and Nancy Xu attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Dianne Buswell and Anton du Beke attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Dianne Buswell and Anton du Beke attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Nadiya Bychkova and Giovanni Pernice attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Nadiya Bychkova and Giovanni Pernice attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Graziano Di Prima and Oti Mabuse attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Graziano Di Prima and Oti Mabuse attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Amy Dowden and Kevin Clifton on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Amy Dowden and Kevin Clifton on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Karen Clifton and Gorka Marquez on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Karen Clifton and Gorka Marquez on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Shirley Ballas attends the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Shirley Ballas attends the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Jamie Laing and David James attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Jamie Laing and David James attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Emma Barton and Dev Griffin attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Emma Barton and Dev Griffin attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Viscountess Emma Weymouth and Chris Ramsey attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Viscountess Emma Weymouth and Chris Ramsey attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Anneka Rice and Karim Zeroual on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Anneka Rice and Karim Zeroual on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Alex Scott and Will Bayley attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Alex Scott and Will Bayley attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Catherine Tyldesley and James Cracknell on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Catherine Tyldesley and James Cracknell on stage at the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Kylie Minogue performing at the red carpet launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2019, held at BBC TV Centre in London, UK. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Kylie Minogue performing at the red carpet launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2019, held at BBC TV Centre in London, UK. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Katya Jones and Neil Jones attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Katya Jones and Neil Jones attend the "Strictly Come Dancing" launch show red carpet arrivals at Television Centre on August 26, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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