Strictly’s Oti Mabuse now favourite to replace Darcey Bussell as judge as fans pile on bets
Bookmakers have slashed the odds after a flurry of bets for Oti over the last 24 hours
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse is the hot favourite to replace Darcey Bussell as a judge on the hit show.
Bookmakers Coral have slashed the odds to 2-1 following a flurry of bets for Oti – who’s been a Strictly pro since 2015 – over the last 24 hours.
Karen Hardy is second best in the betting at 4-1, while Helen Richey and Gary Edwards can both be backed at 5-1.
Coral’s John Hill said: “The flurry of bets behind Oti Mabuse could suggest the Strictly dancer is set to swap the dance floor for the judging panel this year as Darcey Bussell’s replacement.”
Darcey, 49, announced in a statement she was quitting the show after seven years.
She said: “It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.
“I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.”
The Sun told last month how Darcey came to her decision after not being given a pay rise and becoming fed up with the BBC1 show’s sleazy antics after a series of affairs.
Darcey also wanted a £40,000 pay rise to put her in line with other top judges, and a documentary series with the BBC.
A show insider said: “Darcey felt she deserved to be on par with the rest of the judges, especially after the recent series scored such high ratings.
“She made it clear if her demands were not met, she’d walk. And despite the BBC’s best attempts to keep her, she remained true to her word.
“She also hated the never-ending rumours surrounding the pros dating celebrity partners and was particularly annoyed by Seann Walsh’s romance with Katya Jones.
“Darcey is a happily-married, family-orientated woman and thinks Strictly had become some sort of sleazy soap opera.”
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