Big movers in Strictly market

Strictly Come Dancing has returned to our screens and already there have seen some big moves in the betting markets on the ever popular show.

Such is the interest in television and betting, that every major Bookmaker is offering odds on the BBC flagship weekend show which sees 15 celebrities battling it out on the dance floor to win the now legendary ‘Glitter Ball’ in the show’s final in mid-December.

The first week saw them all competing with the first elimination not coming until after the second week. After the first week of action, though, there have been some huge movements in the market – the biggest being Debbie McGee, who is now into 6/1 third favourite after opening as long as 25/1 when the full line-up was announced.

“This is a market the Bookmakers have been stung by the Punters in recent years – none more so than last year when Ore Oduba triumphed in the final, despite being 7/1 to beat Danny Mac and Louise Redknapp on the night,” OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton revealed.

“Because we don’t know voting patterns in terms of volume during the show, the Bookmakers find it hard to predict -so yes Aston Merrygold and Alexandra Burke are clear favourites because they are the best dancers, but others have impressed – none more so than Debbie McGee, who at this stage has the Bookmakers worried.

“If we look back at the trends, over the first 14 series, the majority of times the favourites have not won – which is something to bear in mind.

“Strictly is such a popular betting market now – it is not just the winner, you can back the celebrity to go every week, as well as things such as top male or top female, Punters are latching onto it.”

Turning to the first elimination and Bookmakers are siding with TV chef Simon Rimmer to be first to conduct a last dance on the Strictly floor.

“Following the opening week displays it is a clear five horse race with the Bookmakers in the shape of Simon Rimmer, Brian Conley, Reverend Richard Coles, Ruth Langsford or Susan Calman with Rimmer a short-price favourite at around 2/1,” added Watton.

Strictly Come Dancing winner odds:
5/2 Aston Merrygold, 4/1 Alexandra Burke, 6/1 Debbie McGee, 8/1 Mollie King, 9/1 Davood Ghadami, 9/1 Gemma Atkinson, 10/1 Joe McFadden, 10/1 Jonnie Peacock, 25/1 Charlotte Hawkins, 50/1 Chizzy Akudolu, 66/1 Simon Rimmer, 66/1 Richard Coles, 66/1 Ruth Langsford, 66/1 Susan Calman, 80/1 Brian Conley

Strictly Come Dancing first elimination odds:
2/1 Simon Rimmer, 9/4 Brian Conley, 6/1 Richard Cole, 6/1 Ruth Langsford, 6/1 Susan Calman, 12/1 Chizzy Akudolu, 14/1 Charlotte Hawkins, 25/1 Gemma Atkinson, 40/1 Davood Ghadami, 66/1 Debbie McGee, 40/1 Jonnie Peacock, 50/1 Mollie King, 80/1 Joe McFadden, 100/1 Alexandra Burke, 150/1 Aston Merrygold