John Nellis has emerged as the early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after topping the leaderboard in the first live show.
The social media star can be backed at 3/1 to lift the Glitterball Trophy, according to oddschecker.com.
Second favourite is EastEnders star Lacey Turner at 7/2, with Dani Dyer third at 6/1.
Australian singer Delta Goodrem can be backed at 13/2, while Emerdale actor Lawrence Robb is 9/1.
The latest odds come after the 15 celebrity contestants prepare took to the ballroom for the first live show of the new series on Saturday night.
The celebrities were paired with their professional partners during the previous weekend’s launch show, and have since been putting their dancing skills to the test ahead of their first performances in front of the judges.
Dani is dancing with Nikita Kuzmin, while Lawrence is partnered with Jowita Przystal and Delta is taking to the floor with Kai Widdrington.
This year’s judging panel sees Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return, while Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have taken over presenting duties.
There was no elimination during the first live show, but the celebrities’ scores will count towards the competition as the series gets underway.
The first live show saw the hosts, professionals and judges open the show with a group number set to an orchestral version of Joy by Raye.
A peak of 5.8 million viewers tuned in to the Strictly Come Dancing launch episode which revealed the pairings for the new series.
According to BBC overnight figures, the episode saw 200,000 more viewers at its peak than last year’s launch show.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 winner best odds according to oddschecker.com
- John Nellis - 3/1
- Lacey Turner - 7/2
- Dani Dyer - 6/1
- Delta Goodrem - 13/2
- Lawrence Robb - 9/1
- Cach Mercer - 11/1
- Tabby Stoecker - 14/1
- Bethany Antonia - 18/1
- Will Best - 22/1
- Graeme Hall - 28/1
- Jaime Winstone - 33/1
- Melanie Walters - 66/1
- Chris Appleton - 66/1
- Dame Sarah Storey - 100/1
- Shaun Wright-Philipps - 100/1
The prices are subject to change as the series progresses and are a snapshot of the betting market at 6.40am on Sunday, September 27.
