Ex-footballer and broadcast star Gary Lineker is among the leading candidates to appear on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, according to online rumours.
After announcing he will be stepping down from Match of the Day this year, Lineker is a 6/1 chance to sign up for another leading BBC show and take to the ballroom later this year.
According to the latest betting odds with William Hil as of April 2025, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts is the 11/4 market leader, ahead of Jill Scott (7/2) and Tommy Fury (9/2) who are both rumoured to appear on this year’s show.
Scott enjoyed success on I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here as she was crowned Queen of the Jungle back in November 2022 and she would almost certainly be a huge hit with Strictly fans.
Also in the betting are Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (8/1), former World Darts Champion Phil Taylor (9/1) and Brooklyn Beckham (10/1).
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The Strictly Come Dancing rumour mill is already beginning to turn and Gary Lineker’s name has been thrown into the hat to appear on the next series.
“With his Match of the Day duties coming to an end, we make Lineker a 6/1 chance to swap the green room for the ballroom later this year.
“Others in the running are Nicola Roberts, whom we make the 11/4 favourite, as well as football royalty from the women’s game in Jill Scott.”
“Tommy Fury is in contention at 9/2, while Nigel Farage’s inclusion would certainly cause a stir at 8/1!”
The line-up for Strictly Come Dancing will be confirmed closer to the show’s return, which is usually some time in the autumn. There will be plenty of rumours regarding contestants between now and then, that’s for sure…
You can bet on which celebrities will take part in Strictly 2025 with William Hill and some of the betting market can be found below…
Strictly Contestant Odds 2025:
- Nicola Roberts – 11/4
- Jill Scott – 7/2
- Tommy Fury – 9/2
- Hannah Waddingham – 5/1
- Gary Lineker – 6/1
- Mike Tindall – 7/1
- Nigel Farage – 8/1
- Phil Taylor – 9/1
- Brooklyn Beckham – 10/1
- Eamonn Holmes – 11/1
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
