Strictly Come Dancing 2024’s launch may still be a few weeks away, but one celebrity is already expected to follow in the footsteps of reigning champions Vito Coppola and Ellie Leach.
The likes of JLS singer JB Gills and Towie’s Pete Wicks are hitting the ballroom for the beloved BBC One show’s upcoming 20th anniversary season.
Fans are still being kept in suspense over which celebrities will be partnered up with the pros, including Amy Dowden returning after her cancer treatment, but many have been spotted heading to the studios, as rehearsals are well underway for the pro-dancers.
And we might already have an inkling who will come out on top.
According to the latest odds, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri has been revealed as the favourite to lift the glitterball trophy.
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According to odds by BoyleSports, she’s the 5/2 favourite to win.
The 26-year-old TV personality, who made history as Love Island’s first deaf contestant in 2022, could be following in the footsteps of Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was Strictly’s first deaf contestant, and won the glitterball trophy (as well as a Bafta) in 2021 alongside Giovanni Pernice.
Meanwhile, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick – who won the festive edition of Strictly last year – and Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek have both been rated the joint-second favourite at 9/2 by the oddsmakers.
Olympian Tom Dean, who won gold in Paris this year and confirmed his stint in Strictly shortly after, and ex-Team GB and Gladiators icon Montell Douglas are both in the running at 10/1.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles however is the rank outsider of the 15 contestants, as punters have failed to envisage his dancing success as he swaps building sites for the ballroom.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: ‘Strictly fever is in full swing with the show hitting our screens next week and plenty of punters are already putting Tasha Ghouri forward as the winner.
‘With dancing experience in abundance, she could blitz her rivals in the ballroom.’
Tasha previously revealed taking part in Strictly has been her ‘dream’.
Shortly after the announcement, she said: ‘My passion for dance started when I could feel the bass and vibrations through my body by the huge floor standing speakers in our family home.
‘Hearing the lyrics was down to lip reading the videos on the TV or going on Google and learning them which I still do now and still get them wrong! 😂 I’ve never learned or been taught any of the styles on Strictly so I’m buzzed to push myself past my knowledge and limits 💫’
She then added: ‘I am dancing to represent and offer confidence to anyone, with a disability or not, that struggles to believe in themselves or the opportunities they could take 💘.
‘As well as this being my dream, it’s also my family’s and Andrew’s. Every dance I do is for you all. I can’t wait to make you all proud on the ballroom floor.’
In the release confirming she’d be taking part in the competition, she added: ‘Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing! I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.
‘I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.’
Though Tasha is a trained dancer, and the competition has previously faced ‘fix’ claims, she insisted Strictly would be a new kind of experience, saying: ‘I’ve not danced in quite a few years now, since Love Island my career has changed so much.
‘I might not be good at it, like ballet, I’m not good at ballet, I’m trained in commercial, so I’m excited to learn these new styles.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
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