- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
Bookies revealed which celebrity is the Strictly Come Dancing favourite to win on Thursday and the first one they predict will get the boot.
After ten contestants were announced this week, Dani Dyer, 29, became the early favourite to lift the Glitter Ball trophy with bookies having her at 4/1, while YouTuber George Clarke is next on 6/1, according to Ladbrokes.
The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner became the latest to join the ensemble when he confirmed his participation in the BBC show on Thursday morning.
He followed the announcement of trailblazing model and influencer Ellie Goldstein, Drag Race star La Voix and rugby player Chris Robshaw.
Bookmaker Coral have Thomas at 16/1 to win the new series ahead of Ellie at 5/1 and Dani who they also have at 4/1.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes have Ellie and sprinter-turned-Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey both in at 8/1 to win the series.
Sportsmen ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw comes in at 20/1 and former Premier League star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at 25/1.
But it seems Dani in particular already has everyone talking, before the full line-up has even been announced.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: ‘Dani Dyer is the current pick of this year’s Strictly pack, but with contestants still to be announced, we could soon see someone waltz past her to the head of the betting.’
Dani was the second star to be announced as part of the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up, on The One Show on Monday night.
She said: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year!
‘I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Thomas Skinner was revealed as the 10th celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 on Thursday.
He first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, becoming a breakout star of his series.
Since leaving the boardroom, he has become a social media star – recently shocking fans when it was revealed he’d formed an unlikely friendship with JD Vance, after the US vice-president became familiar with his profile on X/Twitter.
Thomas’ unlikely friendship with JD began on X and resulted in Thomas receiving an invite to join the politician at his Cotswolds holiday residence for a barbecue where other guests included Cambridge academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger.
Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, was the first star announced followed by Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
They will join EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar on the BBC soap, and was revealed as a cast member live on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Dani has sparked a ‘fix row’ as her past dance experience has been revealed.
In an unearthed passage from her autobiography, she boasted about being a ‘qualified dancer’, with fans questioning if she has an unfair advantage.
Last year trained dancer Tasha Ghouri faced a backlash for her training, as well as JLS star JB Gill.
The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer said in her 2019 book that she would put ‘qualified dancer’ under the list of qualifications on her CV.
Writing in her book, Dani wrote about how she went to theatre school at weekends from the age of 2 to 14.
She said: ‘It was called O’Farrell’s Stage School and I was a really good little dancer.
‘I’m not a bad singer but it was the dance stuff I loved more – jazz, tap, ballet, modern. I’d get home and prance around the house.’
Daily Mail has contacted Dani’s representatives and BBC for comment.
On Sunday it was reported that Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem are ‘in negotiations’ to take part in the show.
A new report suggested the two Australian stars are both in talks to appear while another former Neighbours star – Stefan Dennis – is also said to be in the running.
A source told The Sun: ‘Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show.
‘Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year’s most eagerly anticipated competitors.
‘If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.’
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Ladbrokes Latest Betting
2025 Strictly Come Dancing winnerDani Dyer – 4/1George Clarke – 6/1Ellie Goldstein – 8/1Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – 8/1Balvinder Sopal – 10/1La Voix – 12/1Alex Kingston – 16/1Chris Robshaw – 20/1Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 25/1
