Betfair Official Blog

Strictly Come Dancing: 10th Elimination betting

Click here to view market

Chickendinner can't see the 'Eastenders factor' working for Dean...

It's down to the wire now, with Alesha Dixon [1.54] to win on Betfair the runaway favourite from the moment she first tried on the glitzy dress and heels. But heading home this weekend? Taxi for Miss Dean, say the punters...

The good news for Letitia Dean [1.21] to go is that Eastenders stars tend to fare well at this stage (Jill Halfpenny, winner, series one; Christopher Parker, runner up, series one), the bad news is that the Eastenders star likely to fare well is Matt Di Angelo.

She is by far the worst dancer left on the show, and her curious physique has long since ceased to be a major reason to tune in. Her hopes rest on the depth of public support for a lovable character lacking in grace but willing to chug around the floor with spirit and passion (Christopher Parker, runner-up, series one; Darren Gough, winner, series three). She also has the highest profile in there, has pulled out a couple of surprising performance during the series, and just a couple of weeks ago in America, Marie Osmond, who makes Dean look like Ginger Rogers, made the final of Dancing with the Stars.

So even though Miss Dean is a virtual lock to leave, there could be some vote splitting between Di Angelo [7.2 to go] and Gethin Jones [14.5 to go]. With Dixon [65.0 to go] running away with it, the boys have been left for dust, and neither of them pose a genuine threat. Jones appears to be on top of his game after a great performance last weekend, but Di Angelo has probably been more consistent. If it came down to a simple battle for sex appeal - hugely important to garner the female voters - then Gethin would probably land it.

BUT REMEMBER!

This weekend's result is massively important for the outcome of the show. The final has twice featured two males and a female, and twice two females and a male. When the girls are the majority, a girl wins and vice versa with the boys. So working backwards, if Dixon is going to win, then Dean is going to be there with her in the last three.