Strictly Come Dancing 2019 odds: Kelvin Fletcher is the favourite to win Glitterball

The odds aren't looking good for rower James Cracknell
Raring to go: The contestants of this year's 2019 competition
PA
Tobi Akingbade27 September 2019

Kelvin Fletcher has been tipped as the favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing while odds suggest that James Cracknell will be axed first.

Called in as a replacement for Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing, after he had to withdrat due to a foot injury, Fletcher blew the judges away with his “electrifying” samba during the first live show on Saturday.

The ex-Emmerdale actor is now the big favourite to win the Glitterball at 9/5 while former Olympic rower James Cracknell is odds-on at 10/11 to be first eliminated.

David James also in danger at 7/2 while Anneka Rice is at 11/2.

Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse
BBC/Guy Levy

Betfair spokesperson Katie Baylis said: “The first Strictly show of the year produced some incredible performances, but also possibly some of the worst scores ever seen in the ballroom, with James Cracknell at the top of the dancing-disaster leaderboard, so it’s probably no surprise that punters on the Betfair Exchange make him the big odds-on favourite at 10/11 to be eliminated this weekend.

“David James and Anneka Rice were not much better and also face a battle for survival at odds of 7/2 and 11/2 respectively to leave on Sunday.

“One celeb who certainly doesn’t have much to worry about on that front is Kelvin Fletcher who stormed to the top of the leaderboard with both the judges and punters after his incredible performance last weekend. He’s now the 9/5 favourite to lift the famous Glitterball ahead of previous favourite Karim Zeroual at 5/1 and Emma Barton at 13/2.

James Cracknell
PA

“But with two months of the show to go there are sure to be plenty of twists and turns to come -not just on the dance floor - and with £90k already bet on the Betfair Exchange after just one week, punters clearly think it’s going to be a great series.”

Fletcher and dance partner Oti Mabuse received a standing ovation from the studio audience on Saturday, before earning lavish praise from the panel.

They shot to the top of the leaderboard, receiving scores of eight from all four judges, giving them a total mark of 32 - the highest score in any opening episode in the last five years.

Strictly Come Dancing 2019

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"It was electrifying," Judge Shirley Ballas said, before joking that she had been left overwhelmed by the performance.

"I'm the oldest one here so I need my fan and my beads," she laughed, to her colleagues' amusement.

Saturday’s live show gave the contestants the chance to perform in front of the live studio audience without a public vote.

Fans will be able to vote to save their favourite couple from next week's show.

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