Dancing on Ice, week eight, takes place tonight (Sunday, February 24) on ITV at 6pm. For another week, the remaining five celebrities will be hoping to impress judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Ashley Banjo and Jason Gardiner and the audience at home to skate another week. Last week was a shocking double elimination and Jane Danson and Ryan Sidebottom were the latest to leave but who will be next to go? Express.co.uk exclusively spoke to former Dancing on Ice choreographer Stephanie Wallace-Carr to find out.
Who will leave Dancing on Ice 2019 next?
Week eight sees bookmakers play their bets on Westlife singer Brian McFadden and his partner Alex Murphy to leave Dancing on Ice next.
Brian is at odds of 4/7 across the bookmaker aboard to be eliminated.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “While James and Wes are safe as houses, it looks as though Brian will be sent packing this weekend.”
However, professional dancer, performer and choreographer Stephanie Wallace-Carr, who is the current Creative Director at LMA had a different opinion.
Overall, she said Brian is the one contestant who impressed her the most.
The choreographer said: “ Brian McFadden has impressed me the most. Ok, he has a performance background but I don’t think he is a trained dancer like some of the others.
“Brian is charismatic. He is hardworking and passionate something that shines through when he is skating.”
Stephanie even believes Brain could make to the final alongside Wes Nelson and James Jordan.
GEMMA COLLINS BEST DANCING ON ICE MOMENTS
Brian is followed by Saara Aalto and her partner Hamish Gaman to go next, who are at odds of 3/1.
Saara has already appeared in the skate-off once so it is possible she may face the dreaded skate-off again.
The third favourite to go is former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton and her partner Alexander Demetriou at odds of 5/1.
Stephanie worries it is highly possible Melody could leave this weekend instead.
She said: “Melody is a fantastic skater, but I believe the other contestants have more of a following.
“Maybe because she is from the US and the other guys will get the British vote.”
Ladbrokes odds for the next Dancing on Ice elimination are:
- Brian – 4/6
- Saara – 3/1
- Melody – 4/1
- James – 16/1
- Wes – 33/1
HOW MUCH ARE THE STARS PAID ON DANCING ON ICE?
Who will win Dancing on Ice 2019?
Throughout this year’s competition, it has been a close race between Love Islands’s Wes Nelson and Strictly professional James Jordan.
At the moment, Wes and his partner Vanessa Bauer are the favourites to win at odds of 8/13 across the bookie’s board.
He is currently at odds of 8/13 at Bet365, Ladbrokes and William Hill.
Stephanie said: “I think Wes gets the votes of the teenage girls, he’s popular amongst the ladies.
“Love Island is one of the biggest shows on TV right now that can only help with his popularity, and he is a good skater. Ok, and it also helps he is so good looking!”
James Jordan and his partner Alexandra Schauman are at odds of 2/1 to win at Marathon Bet, Betfair and PaddyPower.
James has had faced criticism due to his dancing background which people have argued has put him at an unfair advantage.
Stephanie defended James, saying: “I do think having a dance background gives you an advantage on a show like Dancing On Ice.
“However, being on skates on ice is a completely different ball game and you either take to it or you don’t.
“I think being trained as a dancer will give you core and overall muscle strength that will enhance and help contestants perform the challenging routines.
“I don’t think it’s unfair, as I think having trained dancers on the show provides entertainment and gives the audience variety.
“I for one enjoy watching dancers grace the ice, but hey being a professional dancer and a choreographer might make me biased!“
Despite looking like the third favourite to go this week, Melody is the third favourite to win the competition if the odds are anything to go by.
Melody is at odds of 16/1 to win the competition overall at Coral, Bettered and Ladbrokes.
WHO ARE THE DANCING ON ICE COUPLES?
Apati from Ladbrokes said: “Without a shadow of a doubt it’s a two-horse race for the title.”
Here is a look at Ladbrokes odds for the Dancing on Ice winner:
- Wes – 8/13
- James – 2/1
- Melody – 16/1
- Saara – 16/1
- Brian – 25/1
Dancing on Ice continues tonight at 6pm on ITV