Surprise Strictly star overtakes Helen Skelton as hot favourite after opening night
A SURPRISE Strictly star has overtaken Helen Skelton as hot favourite to win after the opening night.
The 20th series of the BBC dance competition returned to our screens on Friday to introduce the new pairings.
Last night the 15 famous faces took to the dance floor to show off their best moves live on television for the first time.
And after his incredible Jive to Ricky Martin's Livin’ La Vida Loca with partner Nancy Xu, it looks like he could be crowned winner of Strictly 2022.
Will is now the new favourite after his odds dropped from 5/1 to 7/4.
Meanwhile Helen Skelton is 4/1 and Fleur East is 9/2.
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Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Will Mellor has caused a shake up in the Strictly betting after a brilliant performance.
"He has knocked Fleur East and Helen Skeleton off the top spot and is now the one to beat as far as the odds are concerned.”
Tony Adam and Kaye Adams are least likely with 100/1.
Will suffered a knee injury just days before the first live Strictly show.
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The 46-year-old shared a clip of himself icing his knees during rehearsals for the BBC dance show, admitting he was in “shock.”
n the video, an exhausted looking Will said: "Just in rehearsal for Strictly. Will's knees sponsored by peas."
He captioned it: "In rehearsal for @bbcstrictly!! My knees are in shock!! #tooldforthis #strictlycomedancing #dancing #badknees #shattered."
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Will has previously expressed concern about his knees, after previously revealing he has struggled with them for over 10 years.
He told : "I don't want to get injured. I've got bad knees and football injuries, operations and stuff. I'm having to ice them every night.
"If they pop out in the middle of a dance routine live on telly, there's not much I can do because I will just hit the floor, and they do.
"They've popped out while I've been walking down the stairs before now. I can pop it back in, but at that moment, I have no strength in the leg."
