Strictly Come Dancing could be set for another major shake-up as bookies have slashed odds on a long-time judge stepping away from the ballroom next.
Fans of the flagship BBC competition series are still reeling after presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed the current series would be their last.
All eyes are now on who will replace the beloved duo. Some viewers have gone one step further by trying to guess which judge will be the next to leave. So much so that odds have shortened on one to announce their departure next…
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas tipped to leave next
Shirley Ballas has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to quit the show next. According to SportsCasting, she is expected to be the next major name to leave with odds of 4/7.
SportsCasting spokesperson exclusively told ED!: “Deep into the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley Ballas is leading the betting as the next judge to leave. Viewer criticism has been mounting, with many accusing her of favouring certain contestants while being harsh on others. With Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly set to depart as hosts, the judging panel could also be facing a significant shake-up.”
Bookies place Motsi Mabuse at 7/2, with Anton Du Beke trailing just behind at 4/1. Meanwhile, they rank Craig Revel Horwood as the safest judge for now, making him the least likely to leave with odds of 9/1. However, ex-pro dancer Erin Boag revealed this week that she has some concerns about Craig’s future on the show.
The Strictly format shake-up
The BBC confirmed last month that a major change was coming to the current series.
For the past seven years, Shirley held the ultimate deciding vote on which couple stays in the competition after the dance-off. But under the new format, all four judges now share that power. Each week, a different judge takes on the deciding role.
Announcing the change during the first show of the new series, Shirley described the old format as “gruelling”.
“For seven years I’ve been responsible for one gruelling decision, which hasn’t always been easy. But that’s about to change. It’s time that power was shared by a different judge each week,” she said.
Shirley and Craig’s Strictly ‘feud’
Meanwhile, the BBC was recently forced to respond to reports claiming Shirley and fellow judge Craig were butting heads behind the scenes.
An insider claimed that the recent Strictly format shake-up has apparently “caused a change in the power dynamic”.
However a Strictly spokesperson said: “This story is absolute nonsense. It’s clear that the anonymous ‘source’ quoted in it has no inside knowledge of Strictly. Our judges are all on great terms. And, while the casting vote is now shared between them, Shirley remains Strictly Come Dancing’s Head Judge.”
Read more: Strictly pro calls out ‘problem’ with the judges: ‘It’s just not fair’
Strictly continues on Saturday, November 1 at 6.25pm on BBC One.
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