Who will win Strictly 2021? Rose Ayling-Ellis in a league of her own

With just over a month to go until the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 final, Rose Ayling-Ellis is the firm favourite after she and her partner Giovanni Pernice left the judges close to tears in week eight.

Ayling-Ellis is 1.261/4 to lift the glitterball in the final on 18 December with her nearest rival John Whaite 12.011/1.

AJ Odudu is the same price as Whaite and fans appear to be convinced that it will be Rose, John and AJ in the final.

In a powerful performance on Saturday, which they devoted to the Deaf community, the pair performed their dance to a rendition of Clean Bandit's 'Symphony'. Midway through the routine, the music fell silent but the pair continued dancing. It was designed to give the audience an insight into deafness and the judges found it affecting.

Judge Anton Du Beke said it was the greatest he had ever seen on the show and the pair scored 39.

"In this dance we have a very special moment, and I'm doing it for the deaf community." So much power in the silence of Rose and Giovanni's routine. #Strictly @RoseAylingEllis @pernicegiovann1 pic.twitter.com/kW8OTggI5X

? BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 13, 2021

Whaite and partner Johannes Radebe were no slouches once again, though, and scored 38 for their samba in week eight.

Sunday's dance off, meanwhile, was between Tilly Ramsay and Sara Davies as they battled to avoid becoming the seventh contestant to the eliminated.

All the judges decide to save Tilly and professional partner Nikita Kuzmin, condemning Davies and Aljaz Skorjanec to the exit, even though they had scored better than their dance-off rivals on Saturday.

Dan Walker was breathing a sigh of relief after finishing level with Tilly the previous night and looks to be on borrowed time.

Next weekend it's musicals week on Strictly. Read Rob Furber's preview on Saturday for all the latest news and betting tips.