Singer Shayne Ward is tipped to be the next Strictly star voted out of the show - just one week after he faced his second dance-off of the series.
He and Nancy Xu’s Paso Doble landed them in the bottom two following the public vote last and while he'll be hoping to avoid a repeat occurrence in Icons Week, worrying data suggests that won't be the case
The pair came close to elimination in Halloween Week despite finishing seventh on the leaderboard with 31 points.
They were unanimously chosen to survive to dance another day by the judges when pitted against Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez in the dance-off.
After the show, the X Factor winner took to social media to reflect on his brush with an exit from the show.
"This week has been a hard one, and to end up in the bottom two again has truly gutted me,” the star said.
Ward was "gutted" to find himself in the dance-off
Despite this, Ward said: “I’ve loved every minute of this journey so far and I’ve put my absolute heart and soul into it all.”
Addressing his fans, the 40-year-old thanked them for “messages of kindness and support each week".
The Strictly star also lavished thanks on his “amazing teacher” and “truly special friend” Xu who he credits with helping him find his “true self through this journey".
However, Ward may need to prepare another post as recent troubling data suggests he is likely to be not only one of the celebs in the next dance-off, but the star most likely to be sent home.
Ward and Xu danced a Paso Doble for Halloween week
BBC
The X Factor winner is now the bookies' favourite for a Week Seven exit, with 15/8 odds he will be eliminated.
Former hockey player Sam Quek and JLS star JB Gill, with 3/1 and 10/3 odds respectively, are also at risk according to an analysis by TV expert James Leyfield for Gambling.com
Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans follows close behind with 6/1 odds of leaving the show.
At the other end, Chris McCausland has emerged as a front-runner to be crowned champion of this year’s Strictly at an odds-on price of 1/2.
Meanwhile, Eastenders star Jamie Borthwick’s recent impressive performances have seen his odds halve to 10/1.
Borthwick joins former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and actress Sarah Hadland on 6/1 and 7/1 odds respectively in close pursuit of the Glitterball Trophy.
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To survive, Ward will hope his reputation among fans can improve along with his scores.
Since appearing on the show, fans have criticised him for an apparent cockiness and lack of humility.
The singer had previously addressed these comments, saying: “Through my smile on TV I'm as nervous as the next person. Not cocky or overconfident... I'm nervous!”
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