Strictly 2023: Ellie Leach Punter’s Choice for Glitterball Trophy

Data from William Hill Vegas has revealed Ellie Leach to be the most popular selection amongst punters to win this year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing, further strengthening her favourite tag to win series 21 of the much loved BBC show.

The Coronation Street actress has not only been wowing the judges with her impressive dance moves but has also become the overwhelming favourite among punters, commanding a notable 22% of total stakes in the market:

William Hill had already noted Ellie as a strong contender to win the show with odds of 2/7 before last week’s dances. However, her stellar performance on Saturday, where she racked up a personal-best of 39 points, has catapulted her even further into the limelight, with her odds shortening to 2/9 by Monday morning and her quest for the Glitterball Trophy looking increasingly likely.

Ellie’s continued support has seen her leave the likes of Layton Williams (8/1) and Nigel Harman (10/1) in her wake, with the duo second and third respectively in the betting and attracting 14% and 13% of total stakes in the outright winner market.

In the fiercely competitive edition of the series, Bobby Brazier has not been overlooked by punters, commanding a notable 18% of total stakes. However, the shift in punters’ confidence is palpable, with Bobby, once considered a strong contender, now a 16/1 shot to win the series – having been the outright favourite to triumph before the show started.

At the other end of the spectrum, Annabel Croft has been largely unpopular with William Hill customers since the market opened and has attracted only 2% of stakes. Additionally, Angela Scanlon, who is the 6/4 favourite to depart the show this weekend despite scoring 38 points in last week’s episode, has likewise failed to capture the imagination of punters, though her 9% share of the total stakes certainly dwarves that of Annabel’s.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “As we navigate the glittering realm of Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Leach has emerged as the undisputable favourite among our customers, commanding a remarkable 22% of total stakes since the series began.

“Her unmatched technical prowess on the dance floor, exemplified by a stellar personal-best score of 39 points last week, has crafted her a significant lead in the outright winner market, now trading at 2/9 for the Glitterball Trophy.

“Bobby Brazier, capturing an 18% share of total stakes, continues to be a prominent figure in the betting landscape, but the shifting dynamics suggest that punters are recognising the formidable threat posed by Ellie, with Bobby now an outside shot at 16/1 for victory.

“Layton Williams, securing 14% of total stakes, brings his unique flair to the competition. However, while popular among punters, the question lingers whether Layton can convince the voting audience of his credentials to win the competition, and he remains an 8/1 punt to win the series.”