Ricky Hatton has been dealt a rather damaging dent to his chances of winning this year's Dancing on Ice, GB News has learned.
The 45-year-old former boxer is one of 12 celebs hoping to impress ITV viewers as well as judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabuse, Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill.
Much of the attention surrounding the 2024 edition of the skating contest has centred around returning host Holly Willoughby who'll be back on screens for the first time since announcing her This Morning departure back in October.
This time around, however, she won't be hosting with Phillip Schofield by her side as Stephen Mulhern will front the competition for the first time.
The duo will crown this year's Dancing on Ice champion in a couple of months and Hatton will be hoping he has what it takes to bag the accolade.
However, according to fresh odds released ahead of the 2024 series premiere, Hatton's hope have been dealt a crushing blow as he's the favourite to be first eliminated.
Ricky Hatton has been dealt a big blow to his chances of winning Dancing on Ice
ITV
Hatton stands at 9/4 to be the first celebrity booted off the series while he's a rank outsider at 40/1 to win the entire series.
Meanwhile, the likes of Made in Chelsea's Miles Nazaire and Love Island winner Amber Davies are looking most likely to impress.
Liam Solomon, Head of PR for BettingSites.co.uk, explained all to GB News as he said: "'Made in Chelsea' star, Miles Nazaire is a natural choice to win the show. He reportedly has superb skating skills and is recently single.
"Showrunners will hope for an on screen romance to bloom between Miles & professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer.
"The other viable alternatives are former Love Island winner Amber Davies, second favourite, our compilers not put off by recent images of her falling over when practising with partner Simon Proulx-Senecal.
"Third in the betting is former Olympian Greg Rutherford MBE, who was impressive on Strictly back in 2016, but can that form translate onto the rink?
"In terms of who will be eliminated first from the competition a natural favourite is Ricky Hatton MBE. The Mancunian former World Champion boxer was a fearsome competitor in the ring, but our traders think it’s unlikely he can provide the level of elegance required to do well on Dancing on Ice."
Hatton isn't alone in the running for the boot, however, as Solomon continued: "Corrie Star Claire Sweeney is second favourite to be eliminated as she did not exactly cover herself in glory in her stint on Strictly almost 20 years back.
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Ricky Hatton was the first celeb unveiled for this year's Dancing on Ice
ITV
"Olympic hero, Eddie 'The Eagle' must build another underdog story, as oddsmakers believe the 60-year-old will find Dancing on Ice much much harder than jumping on skis."
Sweeney is close behind Hatton with bookies for the first elimination of the series with odds of 4/1.
Edwards is then priced at 6/1 while radio DJ Adele Roberts fetches 7/1 odds to be eliminated first.
Fans will have to tune into Sunday's premiere to see just how well Hatton does and if he can defy the odds to table a challenge for the title of Dancing on Ice champion.
