Strictly's most disliked contestant 'revealed'

New findings reveals who are the most and least popular Strictly contestants this year (BBC Pictures).
New findings reveals who are the most and least popular Strictly contestants this year (BBC Pictures).

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing has been full of drama both on and off screen. From Seann Walsh’s kissing scandal with Katya Jones to Ashley Roberts criticised by viewers for being ‘too good’ at dancing – the show has barely been out of the headlines since it launched back in September.

And according to a bookies’ analysis of Strictly social media mentions, some firm favourites and hate figures have emerged from the show’s 16th series.

Bookies BetVictor has analysed Strictly mentions from this year’s series and used their results to decipher both the least and most popular contestants.

While we assumed cheating Seann Walsh would surely top the most unpopular list – he actually came in at fourth place.

Ahead of him is Blue’s Lee Ryan, What Not to Wear’s Susannah Constantine and at first place is rather surprisingly ex-Pussycat Dolls member Ashley Roberts.

Roberts has consistently earned excellent scores but has received major backlash from the public for having years of professional dancing experience.

Ashley Roberts has not been a hit on Twitter. (BBC Pictures)
Ashley Roberts has not been a hit on Twitter. (BBC Pictures)

As for the most popular, journalist Stacey Dooley topped the list with 63% positive tweets while Steps member Faye Tozer is just behind at 62% and taking third place with 57% is YouTuber Joe Sugg.

Despite Sugg coming in at third place at overall popularity, BetVictor is banking on him being crowned 2018’s Strictly champion.

This is based on his army of millions of fans (he currently has 5.4 million Twitter followers, 5.7 million Instagram followers and 8.2 million YouTube subscribers) and the fact that he only has 7% negative tweet mentions.

Ousted contestant Danny John-Jules was originally the most popular Strictly contestant on Twitter, with only 6% negative tweet mentions, but after he was accused of bullying’ his dance partner Amy Dowden the negative tweets doubled to 12% and he was voted out that week.

Strictly Come Dancing’s final is this Saturday on BBC One.


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