A new frontrunner has emerged to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – with just weeks remaining in the competition.
Former footballer Karen Carney, 38, and dance partner Carlos Gu are reported to be the top contenders.
Last Saturday, the pair received a perfect score of 40 with Karen making consistent progress thus far.
With the final now in sight, bookies have placed the sports journalist as favourite to lift the Glitterball trophy.
In particular, BetMGM has Karen at 1/2 to emerge victorious on the BBC show – with nearest rival George Clarke at 7/4.
Following them is Lewis Cope at 8/1 and Amber Davies
at 50/1 while Balvinder Sopal is at 2/1 to be eliminated next.
A new favourite has emerged to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing – as the final looms near
Former footballer turned sports journalist Karen Carney is partnered up with Carlos Gu on this year’s series
The pair were both very emotional to receive a perfect score of 40 in last Saturday’s episode – and are now in the quarter finals
Dan Towse, BetMGM’s brand director, said: ‘George Clarke had been the Strictly favourite pretty much since the opening night, but it’s all changed as we approach the business end.
‘Karen Carney has improved week-on-week, and she’s now surpassed Clarke in the betting, with the former England women’s footballer odds-on at 1/2.’
Meanwhile, she is far from the first footballer to step onto the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.
Previous contestants include Arsenal legends Tony Adams, Alex Scott and Paul Merson, who placed ninth, fifth and twelfth respectively.
If Karen were to win, she would be the first champion from an athletic background since Louis Smith in 2012.
She would also be the first footballer to win Strictly, with the likes of cricketers Mark Ramparkash and Darren Gough.
It comes as last weekend, actress Alex Kingston, 62, became the latest celebrity to be eliminated.
She was the eighth celebrity to be voted off the competition, after making numerous mistakes during her performance.
Anton decided to save Alex and Johannes, however Craig, Motsi and Shirley all agreed to save Balvinder and Julian, and therefore securing Balvinder’s place in the quarter final.
After the results, Alex told presenter Tess Daly just how much she’s loved the show and journey, she said: ‘I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would last this long.
‘It’s been just the most incredible journey for me. I feel quite proud of myself because I’ve loved the process, I mean 100%, you can tell by my smile.
‘Everyone always says that their dance partner is a friend for life, but JoJo really will be.’
On Monday, Alex broke down in tears live on It Takes Two as she opened up about her elimination from the show.
Having watched footage of herself back telling the cameras she can ‘achieve anything’, Alex followed up: ‘I found out on Sunday my husband said to me he kept a secret from me.’
Dabbing her eyes with a tissue, she continued: ‘He has been taking for the last five weeks Salsa lessons. He’s been learning Salsa so he can be my partner.’
Bookies placed online content creator George Clarke (pictured with pro dance partner Alexis Warr) as Karen’s nearest rival to win the series
Alex Kingston was seen breaking down in tears live on It Takes Two as she opened up about her elimination from the show
Johannes was left looking emotional, as the pair shared a hug, and Fleur chimed in: ‘Oh my goodness, you will break me tonight.
‘That’s so lovely and I love what Strictly has given you because it is so much more than just a dance show.’
Continuing to wipe tears from her face, Alex added: ‘He realises how much this has meant to me, this journey and he wants it to continue for me.
‘But he also does want a few tips from you,’ she joked towards Johannes.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.