EastEnders’ James Bye set for shock Strictly exit this weekend – despite avoiding bottom two

EASTENDERS star James Bye is the joint favourite to get the boot from Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

The actor, best known for playing Martin Fowler, will be doing the foxtrot with his professional partner Amy Dowden on Saturday.

But according to BetVictor, James and Jayde Adams are 9/4 to leave next.

Hamza Yassin is current favourite to win at 9/4, followed by Will Mellor at 10/3.

’s Sam Boswell said: “James and Jayde can’t be split and are both 9/4 for elimination this week, next in is Ellie Taylor at 15/8 followed by Tony Adams who is dancing to Grandstand’s theme tune this week at 13/2.”

“Meanwhile in our winners market Hamza Yassin remains our most likely recipient of the glitter ball as 9/4 favourite. That market has already seen plenty of twists and turns with several contestants changing prices on a very regular basis.”

James will have to impress both the judges and those watching at home to make sure he’s not in the dreaded dance off.

James will be dancing to the EastEnders theme  and says it will involve a “surprise” twist as he marks 100 years of the BBC.

The star of the BBC soap will pay homage to the piece by Simon May and Leslie Osborne which has come to define the long-running series.

Other BBC theme songs and popular shows will be referenced as Strictly stars celebrate the BBC’s centenary, including former England footballer Tony Adams dancing to the Grandstand theme tune.

James , 38, told ITV’s Lorraine on Thursday: “I can’t tell you how honoured I am to be representing EastEnders in such an iconic year. Doing something that’s never been done on Strictly before.

“When (Dowden) got told it was EastEnders, we both looked at each other and went, ‘How are we going to dance to it?’

“It’s not quite the normal EastEnders theme tune everyone is going to expect. (There will be) some surprises along the way.

“A really big night, not just for us but (my other competitors).”