Dancing on Ice 2019: Betting and Odds Preview

The line up for Dancing on Ice 2019 has been public knowledge for some time and with the celebrities posting updates on their rehearsals, this is a good time to assess the betting markets that are now open.

The series starts on January 24 and with an interesting array of contestants from many fields, it promises to be one of the best editions yet. Picking a winner from the 2019 intake could be a tough task but the bookmakers have one name firmly in the frame.

Out in Front

Wes Nelson is our pre-series favourite and you can currently pick him up at best odds of 7/2 with Unibet and 888Sport. He may not be a familiar name to casual viewers but for fans of reality TV, Nelson will be well known from his time on Love Island.

He’s a popular figure and has youth and fitness on his side but will recent news of a lurid home video force the public to turn against the favourite?

Chasing Dancers

Behind Newton the market is very tight with James Jordan available at a top price of 5/1 with William Hill and Coral, followed by Melody Thornton at a best of 6/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes. Richard Blackwood is also on offer at 6/1 in places but elsewhere he can be found at best odds of 13/2 with Unibet and 888Sport.

Of those three, there’s no doubting that Melody Thornton will offer a threat as she already combines dancing as part of her successful singing career with the Pussycat Dolls. Richard Blackwood will need no introduction for followers of the Reality TV genre but he can be a controversial character at times and his tendency to divide public opinion could count against him when it comes to voting.

Moving through the list, Bryan McFadden is available at best odds of 8/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral while actress Jane Danson is listed at a top price of 10/1 with Unibet and 888Sport. Saara Aalto is available at a best of 12/1 with Unibet and 888Sport again while former cricket Ryan Sidebottom is quoted at a top price of 12/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral.

Sidebottom looks in good shape and has stayed active since his playing career came to an end. He is currently a coach at County Champions Surrey and as such, fitness should not prove to be an issue in such a gruelling competition.

Outside Punts

Former Neighbours Soap Star and long term Australian comedian Mark Little heads up the outside pack at best odds of 25/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral. With his grey hair and goatee, you will struggle to recognise him from his Neighbours heyday but he’s likely to be a popular figure who will attract some interest at that price.

Elsewhere, Saira Khan can also be claimed at a top price of 25/1 with Unibet and 888Sport while Didi Conn is further back at a best of 33/1 with Unibet and Coral. TOWIE star Gemma Collins is on offer at best odds of 40/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral and she is therefore our rank outsider as we head towards the start of the competition.

Verdict

It’s always tricky to tip on any reality show before it starts and in this case the reasons are twofold. Firstly and most obviously, we haven’t yet seen any of the contestants step on the ice competitively but also, we have yet to see any personality traits that could win over the viewers.

Wes Nelson is the favourite and he would undoubtedly be a strong contender if this was a pure popularity contest but does he have the skating skills to back that up? Of those that carry longer prices, Ryan Sidebottom could be a threat as a former athlete while Mark Little may also be a surprise package.

The name that really interests us here is that of Melody Thornton and we can draw something of a parallel with rival Reality TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Thornton’s former band mate Ashley Roberts is causing something of a stir on Strictly and recently picked up the first perfect score of the series.

Professional dancers are thought to hold something of an advantage and not all viewers are happy with that but if Melody Thornton can carry her dancing skills across to the ice, she will be in a good place to deliver a profit at that 6/1 price.

The possible public backlash to the ‘pros’ may be the only concern here but we feel that she will be the best dancer on show here and that theory is good enough for the confirmed tip at this early stage in the competition.

Best Bets for Dancing on Ice 2019:

• Melody Thornton to win at 6/1 with Coral