Angela Rippon given huge boost to Strictly hopes just hours before first live show

And despite a few frustrations after "mucking up" during Strictly rehearsals, it appears bookmakers are similarly convinced Rippon has what it takes to avoid the boot early on.

Rippon has been priced as a rank outsider to be eliminated from the series on its opening show this weekend.

In what is a huge boost to the presenter and a big slap in the face to any naysayers, there are three Strictly competitors who bookies think are more likely to be sent packing before her.

Sadly for the likes of Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Les Dennis, the same cannot be said.

WATCH NOW: GB News panel on Rippon's Strictly stint

Channel 4 newsreader Guru-Murthy is priced as the most likely to lose his spot in the competition with odds of 2/1.

Dennis is close behind him in the stakes as exclusive odds from bettingsites.co.uk place him at 3/1.

Also in the running for an early exit is Paralympian Jody Cundy, although his odds are slightly longer than Dennis and Guru-Murthy at 6/1.

Rippon looks set to prove those who tipped a week one exit wrong, however, as she's priced at outside odds of 9/1.

Neil Roarty, spokesperson for bettingsites.co.uk, exclusively told GB News: "There’s always a few celebrities that don’t know their right foot from their left on Strictly Come Dancing.

"We can’t see either of Krishan Guru-Murthy and Les Dennis having much luck on the dancefloor and think both are more likely to fall over first, with Guru-Murthy 2/1 and Dennis 3/1.

"On the other side of the competition, there look to be plenty who could be real naturals in the ballroom and Layton Williams is the 7/4 favourite to receive the first Perfect 40."

In order to keep her Strictly hopes alive, Rippon will perform the Cha Cha Cha to Get The Party Started by Shirley Bassey alongside Widdrington on Saturday evening.

And the bookies aren't the only ones tipping Rippon to keep her spot in the competition for several weeks as a former Strictly pro has also spoken out about her chances.

Ian Waite spoke exclusively to GB News where he revealed the key ways in which Rippon has prepared to see off the younger competition.

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He told GB News: "She's still very, you know, youthful. She's still very flexible. She still exercises a lot so I'm sure she's gonna be good.

"She has a natural talent for dancing as well. So I think she's gonna be good.

"I think it is about time we had somebody older who went the distance and went to the final, it tends to be just the young ones that end up making the final.

"And I know, you know, it is quite grueling and towards the end, it does become basically like a marathon.

"So I'm just hoping that they [Rippon and Widdrington] can pace themselves and and she can do really well it'd be great, it'd be great to see."