Strictly Come Dancing Odds: Lewis Cope New Favourite For Glitterball Glory
Strictly Come Dancing has already had its first casualty of 2025 - and that has mixed things up massively on betting sites.
Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has been forced to pull out of this year's series due to "unexpected medical reasons".
Former Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope has taken his place - and punters have wasted no time in backing the actor ahead of the launch show on Saturday.
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Lewis To Cope Well
Following his surprise inclusion in this year's line-up, Cope is now favourite on betting apps to win Strictly Come Dancing's 23rd series.
He said about joining the Latin and ballroom show: "I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
"I've always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!"
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Odds: Series Winner
Lewis looks set to cope well with the demands of the dance floor, and he is 11/4 frontrunner with William Hill.
He has replaced Ellie Goldstein at the top of the market.
The trailblazing model, actor and influencer - who made history in 2023 as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue - opened up as the early 3/1 favourite to triumph on this year's Strictly, but she is out to 5/1 with some.
Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer - the daughter of ex-EastEnders actor Danny Dyer - remains 9/2.
After the top three in the market there is a bit of a gap, with British YouTuber George Clarke 9/1 and former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison 10/1 next on the list.
But UK bookmakers cannot make their mind up about former England footballer Karen Carney.
She was a best-priced 11/1 a few weeks ago, but is now 14/1 with William Hill - and Ladbrokes has Carney at just 7/1.
Skinner's Exit Price Thins
Thomas Skinner was a best-priced 12/1 to win this year's Strictly, but he is now available at 16/1 with most UK bookmakers, and 20/1 with some.
As a result, the former Apprentice candidate is into 7/2, from 5/1, to be booted out first - and he could be the value pick.
Skinner has been getting some stick on social media, and he recently apologised to fans after storming out of the Strictly press launch.
He said in a statement: "During one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation. I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages - not about Strictly, but about a personal story from my past.
"I've been through some difficult times in my life, which I've worked hard to move on from. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard.
"I felt it was best to step away and gather myself. This had nothing to do with the interviews or Strictly itself.
"I'm sorry I picked up someone else's phone and I don't even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible, and I don't want to suggest any bad intentions on their part.
"What I do want to say is how excited I am to be part of Strictly this year. I'm so grateful for all the love, kindness and support I've been shown so far.
"It means the world to me, and I can't wait to give it my all on that dancefloor X."
However, his fanbase could get him through the first few weeks.
King To Be Dethroned On Strictly?
One star who may not be so fortunate is Ross King.
He is best known for appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as their Los Angeles correspondent, but the bright lights of the Strictly dancefloor might be too much for the journalist.
While the stars are yet to hit the dancefloor, King has doubled in price from 50/1 to 100/1, with William Hill, to scoop this year's Glitterball Trophy.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Odds: First Elimination
Celebrity | Odds | Probability |
Ross King | 11/8 | 42.1% |
Chris Robshaw | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Stefan Dennis | 5/2 | 28.6% |
La Voix | 3/1 | 25% |
Thomas Skinner | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) | 4/1 | 20% |
Alex Kingston | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Balvinder Sopal | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Karen Carney | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Vicky Pattison | 7/1 | 12.5% |
George Clarke | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Dani Dyer | 9/1 | 10% |
Ellie Goldstein | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Lewis Cope | 12/1 | 7.7% |
He is also into 11/8, from 7/4, to be the first contestant eliminated from the new series.
Former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw is next in line to be dethroned from the competition, at 15/8, followed by former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is 2/1 to be booted off first.
The Dutch star is 50/1 with William Hill to score victory on Strictly, just below Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, who is 40/1 with Ladbrokes to win series 23.
* Reminder: Some of these are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
