Helen Skelton has been installed as the new favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing, before the new series has even started and after she sparked 'fix' claims over her past dance experience.
Fresh from her high profile split from rugby player other half Richie Myler, Helen was hotly tipped to be taking part in the latest run of the BBC institution, with Carol Vorderman 'confirming' her place in the line up with an unfortunate social media comment which hinted she already knew Helen was doing the show.
Strictly bosses kept viewers guessing if the rumours were true right to the eleventh hour, with the ex Blue Peter host the final celeb to be announced as a contestant for 2022. Almost as soon as her name appeared on the Strictly line-up, Helen found herself at the centre of fix accusations, after it came to light that she'd won a tap dancing competition as a youngster.
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Die-hard Strictly fans were also aware of the fact that she once took part in a Christmas Special, fanning the 'fix' flames even more. However, the talk of Helen's dance past has done little to dent her chances of winning, in the eyes of bookmakers. After having her as joint favourite to triumph just days earlier, Helen has now eclipsed early frontrunner Fleur East with bookies William Hill, who, a the time of writing on Friday, was on odds of 7/2, compared to Fleur's 4/1.
Helen is partnered up with popular pro Gorka Marquez and fans are convinced whoever that will give her the competitive edge over her fellow contestants.
Other contestants tipped to do rather well at this early stage is singer and actor Will Mellor (11-2), singer Matt Goss (7-1) and Paralympian Ellie Simmonds (8-1).
On the other end of the scale, the least-backed celebs are presenter Kaye Adams (50-1), football manager Tony Adams (40-1) and cameraman Hamza Yassin (33-1).
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