A former Strictly Come Dancing pro is the ‘favourite’ to replace one of the judges if they retire

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has sparked speculation about who could replace him on the panel, with a former winner of the BBC show the ‘favourite’ in the odds

A former winner of Strictly Come Dancing is the ‘favourite’ to replace Craig Revel Horwood, it’s been revealed.

The long-running BBC show continues this weekend with the first live show of the new series. The contestants will compete on the dancefloor under the inspection of Craig Revel Horwood, 59, and fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

There is already speculation about a potential future addition to the panel should Craig – who has teased that he will be “hanging up” his dancing shoes next year – retire. A survey carried out by Betway, as reported by the Express, has a former professional dancer from the show at the top of the odds.

According to the survey, Kevin Clifton, 41, is the ‘favourite’ for the role, with odds of 7/4 on replacing Craig. Kevin was a dancer on the show from 2013 to 2019. He notably won the show with presenter Stacey Dooley, whom he’s now in a relationship with, in 2018. He also reached the final with four other partners, including with Frankie Bridge.It’s been reported that Louie Spence follows behind him in the odds at 3/1 to replace Craig, whilst Diversity member Ashley Banjo holds third place with odds of 5/1. Strictly dancer Neil Jones and former pro-AJ Pritchard are also in the odds. Other names on the bookmakers’ list include Cynthia Erivo, who was a guest judge in 2021, Rylan Clark and former winner Stacey.

Craig, who has been one of the judges since the first since in 2004, has previously said that he’s ‘working hard while he can’ ( Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Chad Yeomans, spokesperson at Betway, told the outlet: “[Craig] recently admitted that his dancing days are over but vowed he won’t be retiring anytime soon. However, the Strictly judge, who has been on the show since day one, will turn 60 next January, and if reaching that milestone causes a change of heart, we make former Strictly star [Kevin] the favourite to replace him!”Kevin wouldn’t be the first former pro to join the panel on the BBC show. Prior to becoming a permanent judge in 2021, when he replaced Bruno Tonioli, Anton had been a dancer on the show since the debut series. Alesha Dixon also made the transition from the show’s dancefloor to the judging panel, having been a judge for three series after winning as a contestant in 2007.

Craig – who is the only remaining original judge, having been on the panel since Strictly launched in 2004 – told Best magazine last year that he wants to “hang up” his dancing shoes and “enjoy life” once he reaches his 60th birthday in January.

Discussing retirement, he said: “I’m working hard while I can, especially as I love what I do. It keeps me on my toes, darlings! I’m now the same age as the late, great Len Goodman was when he first started – that’s scary, isn’t it?!”