Strictly Come Dancing's Ross King tipped for first exit by show pro

Ola thinks Ross – who is partnered with Jowita Pryzstal – is at risk due to his lack of natural dance ability. The 2009 winner has also compared his relatively small fanbase to others’.

“Unfortunately, I think Ross will go,” Ola told Mecca Bingo. “He’s dancing the Viennese Waltz, which is a relatively easy dance, but I think he’ll definitely be the first one to go. Also, he doesn’t have the following that the others will have.

“I don’t see anyone else leaving, unless there’s a miracle on the night that he’s going to be amazing or someone else is really bad. But I definitely think Ross and Jowita will be eliminated this weekend.”

STRICTLY COME DANCING LINE UP — Lorraine’s Hollywood reporter Ross King has signed up to Strictly Come Dancing (Credit: BBC)

Ross’ pre-Strictly exit prediction

If Ola is correct, it would be a spooky coincidence given what Ross said before he entered Strictly. One of the TV entertainment reporter’s pals joked that he’d be “cut” from the show almost instantly.

Known for his role as an LA correspondent, Ross has lots of contacts in showbiz. This includes Take That singer Gary Barlow. “Gary was really funny, he said, ‘The great thing is Ross, you’re going to get really cut’,” Ross previously explained. “I went, ‘What do you mean, body wise?’ and he said, ‘No, you’re going to get cut from the show’.”

Ross later revealed how Scottish actor Gerard Butler also reacted to him being on Strictly. “I didn’t tell Gerry I was doing it until I was announced,” he also told the BBC. “He was in Spain with one of my friends, they said, ‘Ross is going to be in Strictly Come Dancing’ and apparently it took about three minutes for him to stop laughing.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Week 2 odds

Online bookmaker Grosvenor Sport has priced up the Strictly Come Dancing odds, revealing who’s tipped to be the first eliminated. Poor Ross is tipped at 3/5 to go.

Alex Kingston is at 33/1, while La Voix has 33/1. Amber Davies is near the least likely to go home at 80/1, with Karen Carney and Vicky Pattison with matching odds. George Clarke and Lewis Cope share the leading spot at 100/1.

Simon Kew, spokesperson for the bookmaker, also shares insights on who’s tipped for the first elimination. “The market has moved heavily against Ross King, who is immediately a short-priced favourite at 3/5 to be the first out – a big drift from 9/4.

“At bigger odds, Alex Kingston and La Voix are both 33/1, while Amber Davies, Karen Carney, and Vicky Pattison look rock solid at 80/1. George Clarke and Lewis Cope remain virtually untouchable at this stage, both way out at 100/1 for the first elimination.”

But what about this year’s Strictly winner? Simon added: “After the first live show last week, we’ve already seen a major shake-up in the betting. YouTuber George Clarke has leapfrogged into the frontrunner at 12/5, slashing from 5/1, as punters rally behind him to go all the way.

“Balvinder Sopal (20/1) and Alex Kingston (25/1) are holding steady in mid-market positions, while the likes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (33/1), Stefan Dennis (50/1), and the trio of Chris Robshaw, Ross King, and Thomas Skinner (all 100/1) are very much outsiders at this stage.”

What time is Strictly on?

Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday, October 4, as the celebrities and pro dancers face Week 2. The new episode will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6.20pm.

It comes before Strictly Come Dancing: The Results, which will air on Sunday, October 5. The programme is broadcast from 7.15pm as the public vote opens. The two lowest scoring celebrities and their partners will dance-off, sending one pair packing before Movie Week.