The race for the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball trophy has taken a dramatic last-minute turn, with former England footballer Karen Carney now the clear favourite to win Saturday's live final.
Bookies Back Carney in Final Hours
According to leading bookmakers, the momentum has swung decisively in favour of the 38-year-old sports star and her professional partner Carlos Gu. Karen Carney's odds have shortened to 2/5 from 6/5, indicating a flood of support from punters in the final days before the showdown.
This shift represents a significant upset for social media star George Clarke, 26, who had led the betting market for weeks. His odds have now drifted out to 15/8 from 4/5, suggesting his status as the presumed champion is under serious threat.
A Three-Way Fight for the Crown
The final, set to broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Saturday, will feature three couples. West End performer Amber Davies, 29, and her partner Nikita Kuzmin are considered the outsiders, predicted to finish in third place despite surviving the dance-off for two consecutive weeks.
Lee Phelps of William Hill explained the market movement: "Karen Carney has taken firm control of the Strictly betting ahead of the final... After weeks of favouritism see-sawing between the two, Clarke has now eased out, indicating that momentum has swung decisively in Carney’s favour at the ideal moment."
Fan Reaction and Voting Intentions
The changing odds have sparked intense discussion among fans online. While some believe the final will be the closest in years, others are already switching their allegiances. One viewer stated they were moving their vote from Clarke to Carney, citing the footballer's "endlessly fun" partnership with Carlos.
However, George Clarke retains a passionate and potentially decisive online fanbase. Supporters point to his strong performance in online polls and his vast social media following, suggesting a wave of digital votes could still secure him the win. One fan commented, "What also helps George is... he’s in with some of the biggest stars in the UK YouTube scene," drawing parallels to recent reality TV voting patterns.
With the winner decided solely by public vote on the night, the Strictly Come Dancing final promises high drama, as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to crown either an unexpected footballing champion or confirm the online star's journey to victory.
