Strictly Come Dancing Betting Week 7: Craig's a goner but who else may be drawn into the mire?

Strictly Come Dancing / Alan Dudman / 30 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

The end is nigh for Craig and Flavia

"Craig Kelly's average is just over 20, but his last two dances have been pathetic, including a dreadful 18 point samba last week. The [3.0] on offer for a score of 19 or lower looks value, as Craig has got worse, and the judges are becoming harsher now the pleasantries are done with."

There's one terrible dancer left in Strictly but odd goings-on may mean a big name gets trapped in the bottom two with Mr Kelly, says Alan Dudman

I have incurred the wrath of the future Mrs Dudman this week. The lovely Kate was most displeased at my obvious delight in viewing Flavia's electric blue hot pants (which can be witnessed in this clip, around 54 minutes in!), and Laila's mighty ravishing black catsuit number from the last show. We made up following a few cuddles and a casserole - but loose lips sink ships, and any mention of tight fitting costumes will now be banished to the BBC wardrobe department.

Meanwhile my excitement for this weekend's show is barely containable - as the Bee Gees will
be performing live. And yes, I admit it, I like a bit of the Gibbs. I hope they perform Staying Alive - as I often dreamed of strutting my stuff like Tony Minero from one of my fave films. However, on the dancefloor I was more Tony 'TNT' Tubbs.

A quick recap from Week 6 beforehand though, and thank heavens old 'dead Wood' left. Her pathetic 14 point Samba would have looked out of place at the Bull and Butcher pub, and her exit means there is just one naff dancer in the comp - and we will have one final crack at getting rid of personality bypass man Craig Kelly.

Meanwhile, Ali Bastian got the second 10 of the series with her stunning American Smooth. Yes, it was brilliant, but don't get sucked in to one amazing performance. She's been averaging 30 throughout - whereas Ricky Whittle has been beating her consistently (with the odd mistake), whilst Zoe Lucker is bombproof 31-32 score material. Bastian has shortened in the winner market to trade at [4.0], whilst my man Whittle has gone to [2.14].

There are a couple of interesting angles for Week 7, in which the dancers (and Craig) tackle
the ballroom and the Latin. Firstly, we have a final chance to exploit the lowest total score market. Last week's 19 and under offering at [4.5] was way too big considering Wood and Craig Kelly were still in the competition. With Wood gone, we still have Kelly running for us. His average is just over 20, but his last two dances have been pathetic, including a dreadful 18 point samba last week. The [3.0] on offer for a score of 19 or lower looks value, as Craig has got worse, and the judges are becoming harsher now the pleasantries are done with.

The other angle is the strange goings-on in the 'bottom two market'. We had Zoe in there with 30 points, then we had Jade's 32 point Samba finding itself in a dance-off with Dead Wood last Saturday. It's quite frankly ludicrous - but it means a couple of the best dancers, who would be trading at double figures, could attract a couple of quid at fancy prices. Don't get me wrong, Craig has got to go this week.

But a bigger name may just find themselves dancing the Corrie Star out of Week 7. Kelly can be backed at around [2.0] for the 'bottom two', which I still think is a bet. But look at the likes of Laila, Zoe and Jade once again for a shock one included alongside Dullsville, USA - with particular focus on some natty prices in the 'bottom two combo' market.

Finally, the highest scorer prices for Week 7 are pulling me in like a tractor beam. Whittle is [2.4], Bastian is [4.0]. But for me, Lucker, Johnson and Rouass are more than capable of holding their own in both dances this week and are overpriced at [10.00] the pair.

And not a mention of a hot pant or catsuit anywhere...

Week 7 Recommendations:

Week 7 Highest Score: Back Zoe Lucker [10.00]; Back Jade Johnson [10.00]