Strictly Come Dancing 2024's new favourite to win revealed
Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 has got off to an exciting start and a new favourite to win has already emerged, according to the latest booking odds from William Hill.
The BBC show has returned for its special 20th anniversary this year. However, the glittering celebrations have been overshadowed by allegations of bullying and misconduct after Amanda Abbington quit Strictly early and later accused her pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of bullying her, claims he denies. The BBC are investigating, meanwhile Pernice left the show after nine years.
Ahead of the 2024 series, the BBC sacked Graziano Di Prima after it emerged he kicked his last celeb partner Zara McDermott. In a new interview, the pro dancer said he was "not a monster" and that he "wasn’t meaning to kick her". He told The Daily Mail: "I’d never, never do that."
Conversations remain ongoing behind the scenes as Strictly has returned to our screens. Here we take a look at who is the favourite to win and the least likely to take home the trophy.
Read more: Strictly
Favourite to win Strictly
JLS star JB Gill is the new favourite for Strictly Come Dancing after it was revealed he was partnered with Amy Dowden, according to betting giant William Hill. Gill had his odds to win shortened into 7/2 from 7/1. Dowden made an emotional return to Strictly after she was forced to sit out of last year while having chemotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023. Her doctors have since found no evidence of the disease.
Love Island bombshell Tasha Ghouri was knocked from the top spot and now her odds have changed to 5/1 from 4/1. Following the opening show, singer Shayne Ward has also had his odds drastically change to 6/1 from 3/1.
Gladiators star Montell Douglas has had her chances of winning increase too, according to odds, after she was partnered with 2021 runner-up Johannes Radebe.
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."
Strictly odds in full
JB Gill (7/2)
Tasha Ghouri (5/1)
Shayne Ward (6/1)
Montell Douglas (13/2)
Sam Quek (9/1)
Jamie Borthwick (9/1)
Pete Wicks (10/1)
Sarah Hadland (14/1)
Chris McCausland (16/1)
Punam Krishan (20/1)
Toyah Wilcox (28/1)
Tom Dean (33/1)
Wynne Evans (33/1)
Paul Merson (100/1)
Nick Knowles (100/1)
