Comedian Chris McCausland’s hopes of lifting the Glitterball trophy appear to be in jeopardy as a concerning trend has emerged.
Strictly’s first blind contestant has won the hearts of fans with his impressive performances alongside dance partner Dianne Buswell.
As the show progressed, McCausland emerged as a favourite to win the whole competition.
According to Gambling.com expert, James Leyfield, the 47-year-old comedian had achieved 1/2 odds of winning the competition.
McCausland maintained his odds even though he found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard during Halloween week with a disappointing 26 points.
Perhaps suggesting the public’s favour, McCausland and Buswell have so far avoided the dreaded dance-off.
McCausland was the bookies favourite to emerge champion for weeks
BBC
This week, the star remains the bookies favouritebut is now beginning to see has seen his odds fall.
Now, punters can fetch a price of 8/13 for McCausland – representing the first time in weeks his odds have lengthened.
The 47-year-old has almost been caught by the rapidly shortening odds of Miranda star Sarah Hadland, who achieved first and third place in Halloween and Icons Weeks respectively.
Hadland, who Leyfield now describes as a “serious contender,” has consistently ranked high on the leaderboard with dance partner Vito Coppola.
The couple’s Halloween Samba landed them bottom of the leaderboard
BBC
The 53-year-old actress went into Week Seven with 7/1 odds to lift the Glitterball trophy. Now, Leyfield gives her impressive 5/2 odds of emerging champion.
This places Hadland a hair ahead of Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, who impressed judges during Icons Week with a huge 39-point Couple’s Choice routine with dance partner Aliaz Škorjanec.
Ghouri remains at a steady 8/1 to be named champion ahead of this Saturday’s show.
McCausland and Buswell will be hoping to see their judges scores improve with a Couple’s Choice to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.
Hot on their tails Hadland and Coppola will dance an American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small.
Third favourites, Ghorui and Škorjanecy, are planning a Quickstep to Fantasy by Mariah Carey.
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At the other end of the table, X Factor winner Shayne Ward and opera singer Wynne Evans are tied as most likely to be eliminated.
Betting.com data gives the two 7/4 odds of a Week Eight exit.
Ward and dance partner Nancy Xu have faced the dance-off twice so far this series. Evans and Strictly pro Katya Jones have so far avoided the red light.