It’s odds-on a same-sex Strictly couple next year

Ahead of this weekend’s opening live show of the new series, bookmaker Coral are odds-on, at 1-2, that next year’s Strictly Come Dancing will include a same-sex couple.

“The debate over same-sex couples taking part in Strictly has dominated the build-up to the new series, with judge Craig Revel Horwood saying it will probably happen next year, and our odds reflect that viewpoint; certainly it’s more likely to happen than not in 2018,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Looking ahead to this year’s show, Aston Merrygold is Coral’s 3-1 favourite to lift the glitterball trophy, ahead of fellow popstar Mollie King at 4-1, while chef Simon Rimmer is 3-1 favourite to be the first contestant voted off the show.

Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli is 7-4 favourite with Coral to be the first judge to award a perfect ten score in the new series, while Coral go 25-1 that a ten is given in week one, but just 5-1 that any celebrity falls over this week.

“We don’t know how tough new arrival Shirley Ballas will be, but reckon Bruno is still the most likely to award the first ten of the new series, although probably not in the opening show,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**Strictly Come Dancing winner
3-1 Aston Merrygold, 4-1 Mollie King, 5-1 Alexandra Burke, 6-1 Gemma Atkinson, 9-1 Jonnie Peacock, 10-1 Davood Ghadami, 16-1 Joe McFadden, 20-1 Charlotte Hawkins, Debbie McGee, 33-1 Brian Conley, Richard Coles, 50-1 Chizzy Akudolu, Ruth Langsford, Susan Calman, 66-1 Simon Rimmer

**First elimination
3-1 Simon Rimmer, 4-1 Charlotte Hawkins, Susan Calman, 5-1 Chizzy Akudolu, 8-1 Richard Coles, 9-1 Brian Conley, 12-1 Ruth Langsford, 16-1 Debbie McGee, 20-1 Davood Ghadami, Joe McFadden, 33-1 Alexandra Burke, Gemma Atkinson, Jonnie Peacock, 66-1 Mollie King, 100-1 Aston Merrygold,

**First judge to award a 10
7-4 Bruno, 5-2 Darcy, 3-1 Shirley, 4-1 Craig

**Week 1 specials
5-1 Any celebrity to fall over
7-1 Any couple to score 15 or less
25-1 Any judge to award a 10
100-1 Any couple to receive a perfect 40

ENDS