A Strictly Come Dancing fan has come to the conclusion the BBC show’s opening moments could give away the winner.
After crunching some serious numbers, Reddit user MorningMist13 believes the celebrity’s position in the title credits determines their success.
Using data pulled from all 21 complete seasons of the ballroom competition, they have worked out that the star most likely to win will be placed in sixth place at the start of the show.
That’s because it boasts the most Glitterball Trophy holders with three previous celebrities winning the show in that position, while another six have reached the finals.
According to the user’s maths, that means footballer Paul Merson, who is paired with Karen Hauer, is the most likely to win Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
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MorningMist13 has also claimed that position 13 has the worst winning odds, with no celebrities in that place winning, only one reaching the final and two eliminated first.
Unfortunately, this year Sarah Hadland and pro dancer Vito Coppola are in the unlucky 13th place – but the Miranda actress will be hoping she can prove the opening credits wrong.
It comes after Toyah Willcox, who was eliminated from Strictly on Sunday, singled out Chris McCausland as the celebrity to beat on Strictly Come Dancing in a ‘vicious’ dig.
Discussing her performance with host Fleur East on It Takes Two earlier this week, the 80s singer reflected on her time in the ballroom and offered some shocking advice to the remaining competitors.
When asked by Fleur what advice or tips she had for the other celebrities, the Echo Beach singer laughed and clapped, then pointed to the camera and said: ‘If you don’t want to do a dance-off, get rid of Chris!’
Neil and Fleur then seemed to share an awkward glance as Toyah collapsed into her pro partner’s lap in a fit of laughter.
After watching the painful exchange, fans took to social media to share their thoughts. And many were left outraged by Toyah’s apparent vitriol for Chris.
‘That was such a nasty dig Toyah just made at Chris. Malicious, vicious and jealous.’ wrote maxbiddle98 on X.
However, Chris, 47, has since spoken out to defend Toyah, emphasising that she has been a ‘joy’ to spend time with.
In a post shared on X, he wrote: ‘All I can say is that @toyahofficial has been nothing but beautiful and supportive and what she said on Takes Two was funny and an incredible bloody compliment.
‘It’s been such a joy and a privilege Toya. Lots of love, enjoy the surfing! X.’
Toyah subsequently shared her own follow-up message, emphasising that Chris is her favourite to win the show.
‘Just to clarify and to clear up any confusion that’s flying around, My good friend @chrismccausland, is my favourite to win this year, I think he is inspiring and brilliant, he has worked so hard and I wish him nothing but love! Toyah x,’ she wrote on Instagram.
Toyah was the second celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly after Olympic swimmer Tom Dean and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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