Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Love Island Star Favourite; Opera Singer May Toil
Strictly Come Dancing have confirmed the 15 celebrity contestants who will take part in series 22, and it looks set to be a close race for the Glitterball Trophy on betting sites.
This year marks the show's 20th anniversary and while there will no doubt be plenty of celebrations, culminating with one celebrity and their professional partner lifting the trophy in December, the programme has been shrouded in controversy of late.
It comes after pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice both departed the series following allegations about their behaviour in training.
Pernice has denied "any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour", while Di Prima was axed amid reports of alleged misconduct relating to how he treated his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott.
BBC director general Tim Davie recently apologised to anyone who has had an experience on Strictly that "hasn't been wholly positive", but bosses will no doubt be hoping it will be the dancing that makes the headlines when the 22nd series kicks off next month.
Who Will Be Eliminated First On Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Odds
Celebrity | Odds | Probability |
Wynne Evans | 11/8 | 42.1% |
Dr Punam Krishan | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Toyah Willcox | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Chris McCausland | 3/1 | 25% |
Sarah Hadland | 4/1 | 20% |
Paul Merson | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Montell Douglas | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Nick Knowles | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Pete Wicks | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Tom Dean | 10/1 | 9.1% |
JB Gill | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Sam Quek | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Shayne Ward | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Jamie Borthwick | 18/1 | 5.3% |
Tasha Ghouri | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Wynne's Tough Task To Win
In the last four series, the first celebrity eliminated from the show was either in their 50s or 60s.
Actor Les Dennis exited first last year, and Loose Women's Kaye Adams, actress Nina Wadia and politician Jacqui Smith all made early exits from the show in the previous three series before Les' departure.
This trend doesn't bode well for 52-year-old opera singer Wynne Evans.
He may have triumphed on Celebrity MasterChef last year, but he could be the first out of this year's Strictly.
Evans - best known for starring in the GoCompare adverts - is the early 11/8 favourite on Strictly Come Dancing betting sites to be eliminated from the BBC Latin and ballroom competition first.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Media medic Dr Punam Krishan is 2/1 second favourite, while legendary singer Toyah Willcox, who is in her mid-60s, is a 5/2 chance.
Comedian Chris McCausland will become the first-ever blind contestant to take part in the programme, and his early comments won't inspire confidence for potential backers.
He said: "If anybody out there is thinking, 'How the hell is he going to do that?' - then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing. I don't dance, I haven't danced, I can't dance, I can't see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong?"
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Merson To Match Adams' Staying Power?
Former pro footballer Paul Merson, DIY SOS host Nick Knowles and Olympic hockey star Sam Quek were the final three celebrities confirmed for this year's Strictly during BBC series The One Show on Monday night.
Merson's former Arsenal team-mate Tony Adams took part in Strictly 2022, and he was short prices on specials betting sites to be eliminated next from the show for weeks and weeks.
However, the former England defender defied the odds numerous times and made it until week eight, when he finally departed the series.
If his dancing matches his fancy football skills, then Merson could do the same and overcome his 5/1 price to be the first celebrity eliminated from the series this year.
TV presenter Nick isn't far behind him in the market at 6/1, while TOWIE star Pete Wicks - who is a good friend of Zara's - is 8/1 to go out first, and Olympian Tom Dean, who is fresh from winning an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024, is 10/1.
Tasha On Top
While Tom was one of the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay team to strike gold in the French capital, avid Strictly viewers will be busy trying to work out who can top the podium on this year's series of the Latin and ballroom show.
Former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri is the early 4/1 favourite with Bet365 to triumph, while EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick isn't far behind at 11/2 second favourite on betting apps.
Since Tasha's appearance on the ITV2 dating show, the model and TV personality - who became the first-ever deaf contestant on Love Island - has helped to raise awareness for the deaf community, and she also has plenty of dance experience.
If Jamie jigs to victory he would be the second consecutive soap star to win the show, after Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach and her pro partner Vito Coppola were crowned champions last year.
Another former Corrie star could also get his hands on the trophy this year.
Shayne Ward is the early 6/1 third favourite with Bet365, while hockey star Sam is a 7/1 chance, and JLS singer J.B. Gill is 7/1 with Coral for victory.
Gladiators star Montell Douglas (14/1) - aka Fire on the BBC show - and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland (18/1) are early outsiders to win the series.
* Reminder: Some of these are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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