Strictly Come Dancing 2024's new favourite to win revealed (original) (raw)

Strictly Come Dancing 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.

Strictly Come Dancing returned on Saturday. (BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing returned on Saturday. (BBC)

Read more: Strictly

JB Gill is dancing with Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)

JB Gill is dancing with Amy Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)

Tasha Ghouri is the bookies' current favourite to win with her odds changing from 5/1 to 3/1 following the first live dance show, according to the latest data from William Hill.

Meanwhile, the former favourite, JLS Star JB Gill, has had his odds widened to 9/2 after audiences caught a glimpse at his moves with dance partner Amy Dowden.

At the other end of the spectrum are former footballer Paul Merson and DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, both of whom have outsider odds of 150/1 of winning this year's series of Strictly.

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.

Strictly odds in full

The Strictly 2024 line-up. (BBC)

The Strictly 2024 line-up. (BBC)