Actor Will Mellor has sparked a change in the odds and is currently the bookies favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing, after impressing the judges and viewers at home with his first performance. The 46-year-old actor, best known for roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Line of Duty, Coronation Street and more, danced the jive with his professional partner Nancy Xu over the weekend.
In the latest odds from Betfair, Will is currently the favourite to win the hit BBC One dancing competition, with his odds now slashed from 5/1 to 6/4. The actor, who was the first celebrity to be announced for the 20th series back in August, finished joint top of the leaderboard on Saturday night scoring 34 out of 40 after performing to Ricky Martin's Livin’ La Vida Loca, Chronicle Live reports.
He wasn't the only contestant to come out on top in Strictly's opening week, wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin also scored 34 points with his partner Jowita Przystal for their foxtrot to Islands in the Stream. However Hamza's odds are currently 12/1, putting him behind fellow contestants Will, Fleur East, Helen Skelton, Kym Marsh and Tyler West.
In the lead up to competition starting, Fleur and Helen had been at the top of the odds but Betfair have said their odds now place Helen Skelton, who came in sixth on the leaderboard on Saturday, at 9/2 to win, after being 7/2 before the show. Fleur East, who came fourth, is also 9/2, with Kym Marsh and Tyler West at 9/1 .
Betfair spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: “Punters have raced to back Will Mellor to win Strictly this year after his impressive performance in the first week and his odds have been cut to 6/4 favourite from 5/1. Helen Skelton was the previous favourite but bettors have cooled their interested and she now trails Mellor in the betting at 9/2."
At the time of writing, these are the current Strictly Come Dancing winner odds:
- Will Mellor 6/4
- Fleur East 9/2
- Helen Skelton 9/2
- Kym Marsh 9/1
- Tyler West 9/1
- Hamza Yassin 12/1
- Molly Rainford 16/1
- Ellie Simmonds 16/1
- Richie Anderson 20/1
- Jayde Adams 20/1
- Matt Goss 22/1
- Ellie Taylor 25/1
- James Bye 25/1
- Kaye Adams 90/1
- Tony Adams 90/1
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, October 1 from 6.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can catch up on the first live show over on BBC iPlayer.
