Who Is the Best Bet for Strictly Come Dancing 2023?

by Roy Brindley, 11 August 2023

Last Friday, the BBC announced the identities of the first three celebrities participating in Strictly Come Dancing 2023. Bookmakers were quick to react to the likelihood of Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon or Layton Williams winning the 21st series of the show.

Can former British No. 1 tennis player Annabel Croft smash Strictly Come Dancing 2023? ©GettyImages

However, with the Corporation announcing one, two, and even three additional contestants daily for the past week, online sportsbooks have been in disarray. Of the 14 names now confirmed for the show, it is Bobby Brazier, who the bookmakers currently favor.

The best betting value in television shows of this ilk has traditionally been available before contestants have set foot on the dance floor. Statistically, for example, Brazier appears unduly short on the 7/2 odds which are currently offered. The EastEnders actor is 20, and only one previous winner has been aged under 25.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Celebs

The confirmed celebrities set to star in Strictly Come Dancing are:

• Adam Thomas, the 34-year-old who played Adam Barton in the soap opera Emmerdale.
• Amanda Abbington, 49, is best known for playing Mary Morstan in Sherlock.
• Angela Rippon, the legendary 79-year-old news presenter, fronted the original ‘Come Dancing’.
• Angela Scanlon, 39 years old, has presented the BBC’s The One Show and RTE’s Ask Me Anything.
• Annabel Croft, 57-year-old former tennis star turned TV sports presenter.
• Bobby Brazier, 20, is a model and EastEnders actor.
• Eddie Kadi, now 40, was the first British black comedian to headline the O2.
• Ellie Leach, a twelve-year veteran of Coronation Street (playing Faye Windass), is aged just 22.
• Jody Cundy, given an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours list, the Paralympian is 44.
• Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 53, is the lead presenter of Channel 4 News.
• Layton Williams, 28, is a well-known West End stage performer.
• Nigel Harman, best known as Dennis Rickman, is 49.
• Nikita Kanda, 28, from Birmingham, is a BBC Asian Network presenter.
• Zara McDermott, who found fame but not love during 15 days in ‘Love Island 2018’, is now 26.

What Are the Strictly Come Dancing Odds?

Given their ages, Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier must create history to win the show. Angela Rippon will break a record when she performs her opening dance. Aged 79, she will be the oldest ever competition surpassing Johnny Ball, who took part in 2012 aged 74.

Brazier is the market principle in Ladbrokes betting, but on 4/1, Layton Williams is just a half-a-point bigger than the early favorite. Adam Thomas and Zara McDermott are joint second favorites on 5/1. Others priced at single digits are Ellie Leach, 6/1, and Angela Scanlon and Nikita Kanda, who can both be backed on 8/1.

Strictly Roll of Honor

Our Best Bets for Strictly Come Dancing

Betting is all about value. That typically means ignoring the shorter-priced contenders in an event such as this. Layton Williams would be the obvious selection if forced to back one of the favorites.

A career on stage usually comes hand-in-glove with the ability to dance. As Williams played the role of Billy Elliott in ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ and a young Michael Jackson in ‘Thriller Live’ he will doubtlessly be able to dance.

Annabel Croft, a former sportswoman still in shape, is the candidate who carries our hopes. Quoted on 14/1 with the leading novelty betting sites, the tennis star has suffered a personal tragedy this summer. She may throw herself headlong into rehearsals giving herself a competitive edge over other celebrities.

This year’s Strictly Come Dancing will launch in the autumn. It is predicted to run for 12 or 13 weeks. This season’s judges are confirmed to be Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will once again present the show.