Dancing on Ice Has a ‘Big Three’ That Tick the Right Boxes
Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson has maintained his position as Dancing on Ice favorite despite Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson receiving a higher judges’ score in Sunday’s show. During the episode, John Fashanu became the first contestant eliminated from the 15th series of the ITV program.
A romance between Joey Essex and his dance partner, Vanessa Bauer, could boost The Only Way is Essex star’s popularity. ©GettyImages
Ten hopefuls remain – five females, four males, and a drag artist. Over the next six weeks, at least one celebrity is scheduled to depart the show every Sunday. The timetable is not rigid. Changes caused by illness or injury are possible but come what may, the best three celebrity skaters will contest the final episode in late March.
Who Are the Dancing on Ice Favorites?
At 6/4, Wilson takes forty percent of the Dancing on Ice book. Joey Essex, 7/2 with the best novelty betting sites, is second on the list. The former The Only Way is Essex star impressed when claiming 27 judges’ points for his opening skate. Moving forward, news of a romance between him and his professional skating partner should serve to ensure his phone votes keep coming in.
Carley Stenson, 14/1 when the betting opened, is now trading as the third favorite. The BetVictor sportsbook quotes the 40-year-old at 4/1. It is the best price available amongst all online bookmakers and comes courtesy of a table-topping 32-point first-round score.
Further down the betting list is Coronation Steet actress Mollie Gallagher. Garnering 26.5 points for her dance to ABBA’s Angel Eyes, the former goth is available on 7/1. Drag queen and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne, is 10/1.
Who Are the Dancing on Ice Underdogs?
At the base of the betting lists sits former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer. The 50-year-old, who finished fifth in 2005s Strictly Come Dancing, is 66/1. Despite her dismissive price, Palmer was not the lowest-scoring skater from the opening round.
Michelle Heaton is the celebrity burdened with that unwelcome distinction. Despite a score of 19 – two points less than Palmer’s tally – popularity amongst the public and corresponding votes means she is still in the show and trading on 33/1.
Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu survived a skate-off against John Fashanu to remain in the contest. She is 25/1. Comedian Darren Harriott (20/1) and The Wanted singer Siva Kaneswaran (14/1) complete the betting.
Where Will the Dancing on Ice Winner Come From?
Male contestants have a vastly superior record to that of their female counterparts. Since 2009, only two winners have been women. The formbook also shows soap stars and actors have an outstanding Dancing on Ice record. It could be explained by the bulk of actors and entertainers having gained dancing experience through their time at stage school.
Age is also a striking feature amongst the list of previous winners. Statistics overwhelmingly suggest the 2023 Dancing on Ice winner will be 40 or under. It means Michelle Heaton and Patsy Palmer have little hope. But Carley Stenson is a youthful 40 – and that presents punters with a dilemma.
They floated across the ice, making their first skate look effortless! ❄️@carleystenson & @Mark_Hanretty skate away under the midnight sky with a score of 32, the highest score of the series so far! #DancingOnIce pic.twitter.com/5Fbfv66Jhv
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) January 22, 2023
At the prices, Joey Essex is our speculative choice. He ticks several demographic boxes, there was little wrong with his week one performance, and he has a far bigger social media following than the favorite, Nile Wilson.
Dancing on Ice How to and Where To
Dancing on Ice prices are constantly updated. It is therefore prudent to visit the leading TV and novelty betting sites to identify and secure the best odds about your fancy. Incidentally, many sites offer markets on the next elimination. Patsy Palmer is the 15/8 favorite to go home at the weekend.
This year Dancing on Ice has a shorter format. The series will run for nine weeks, and each show is reduced to 90 minutes per episode. The Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby-fronted show is broadcast live on ITV and ITVX on Sundays starting at 6:30 pm.
