Strictly: Mark Wright the fall guy in battle to beat the bottom

For all of the glitz, glamour and excitement of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing final there’s a sobering fact that will be keeping the contestants grounded this week: one of them has to finish last.

Yes, isn’t it fantastic to make the final four and look how incredible each individual’s journey has been, blah blah.

But let’s face it, for all of the sense of accomplishment of having made it this far, no-one is going to want to end up bottom of the pile.

Cheeky chappie Mark Wright is currently the 4/5 favourite to be the first dancer eliminated from the showpiece event.

But does better value lie elsewhere?

Let’s take a look.

Mark Wright – 4/5 to finish in fourth place

He may have performed a few great escape acts in getting this far but likeable Mark and his dance partner Karen Hauer can’t hide from their points total.

The pair are the lowest scorers remaining with a total of 406 points and a total average of 31.2 points.

Their fate, much like the others, will depend on what the judges pick out for them to perform first and whether their Showdance hits the right note.

And with the decision to remove the first act based on cold hard points it’s not looking great for Mark.

Simon Webbe – 6/4

Former boyband hunk Simon is the value pick to depart first with partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Their total average of 31.7 points is only marginally better than Mark and Karen’s and having also finished in the dance-off three times the pair are vulnerable in this market.

Simon and Kristina’s Showdance will be performed to Elvis Pressley’s ‘A Little Less Conversation’.

For their sake let’s hope their dancing does the talking.

Frankie Bridge – 10/1

Nope, not going to happen.

Frankie and Kevin Clifton are the only pair to have not been in a dance-off this series and they will not be fazed by the challenge the final represents.

Don’t waste your money.

Caroline Flack – 16/1

Already being crowned the ‘people’s champion’ there’s absolutely no way Caroline will be finishing last.

OK, we can’t promise the TV presenter won’t suffer a complete meltdown but given what we’ve seen so far that looks highly unlikely.

In fact, we’re looking forward to seeing Caroline and Pasha Kovalev revisit their favourite dance, the bazaar Charleston to ‘Istanbul (Not Constantinople)’ from Around the World Week.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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