Strictly 2022 favorites: It looks like two will battle it out

(Image credit: BBC)

published 21 September 2022

Strictly 2022 favorites have been announced and it appears that two starlets have an advantage before the show even gets into full swing.

The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestants have been hard at it, prepping for the show's premiere. As ever, before this season's stars have strapped themselves into their sequin looks and laced up their dancing shoes - experts are hedging their bets on who's likely to twirl away with the Glitterball trophy.

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom tells woman&home, “We’re just days away from the sound of the famous Strictly soundtrack filling living rooms around the country and we already have our early front-runners." It looks like two stars neck and Strictly 2022 favorites to win, he says. "Fleur East and Helen Skelton are the joint 7/2 favorites to waltz their way to the Glitterball."

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestants: Fleur East.

These odds may trouble some nay-sayers as this news comes merely weeks after Strictly 2022 star Helon Skelton addressed 'fix' rumors as her dance competition past was revealed. This coupled with Fleur's incredible talent for singing and dancing may leave fans wondering if it's a two-horse race.

Of course, at the other end of the scale, there are odds on who is less likely to win this season. “Punters are shying away from Loose Women star Kaye Adams," explains Sam, "with her 50/1 odds of winning ranking her as the least likely winner.”

This comes after reports of a Strictly judge's worries about popular Scottish broadcaster Kaye's 'skimpy' outfits and 'sex appeal' on the show. Not one to shy away from a bit of a challenge, nor a bit of banter Kaye tweeted, "Craig Revel Horwood‘s worried!!?? How does he think I feel ?!"

Who is the favorite to win Strictly 2022?

Fleur East 7/2
Helen Skelton 7/2
Will Mellor 6/1
Matt Goss 7/1
Ellie Simmonds 9/1
Tyler West 10/1
Molly Rainford 12/1
Kym Marsh 16/1
Richie Anderson 16/1
Jayde Adams 20/1
Ellie Taylor 22/1
James Bye 251
Hamza Yassin 30/1
Tony Adams 40/1
Kaye Adams 50/1

When does Strictly 2022 start?

The first episode of season 20 was originally set to air on Saturday, September 17, 2022. However, Strictly Come Dancing 2022 was postponed after Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle.

Instead, the first show - which was prerecorded - will now premiere on September 23, with the first live show hitting screens on September 24.

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.