Michaela Strachan dealt brutal blow to ITV Dancing on Ice hopes hours before premiere as worrying data emerges
Michaela Strachan’s chances of being crowned this year’s Dancing on Ice champion have been rather dented thanks to new data that has emerged ahead of Sunday’s instalment.
Strachan is one of 11 celebrities who’ll be battling out in the rink for a shot at the trophy opposite the likes of Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, Corrie star Sam Aston and The Traitors fan-favourite Mollie Pearce among others.
ITV initially unveiled a line-up of 12 celebs but Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey was forced to pull out of the series due to injury.
Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern will return to the ITV Sunday night staple this weekend to welcome Strachan and her fellow celebs to the arena.
The 58-year-old has been open about relishing the chance to perform on the ice – although admitted to Lorraine Kelly she was apprehensive about not “mending so well” at her age – and has been partnered with pro skater Mark Hanretty.
However, despite teaming up with one of the most experienced pros on the show, analysis hints Strachan faces an uphill battle to impress – and may even be booted in the very first elimination.
Supercomputer analysis conducted by FruitySlots and shared with GB News looked at the profiles of previous winners, as well as the contestants’ demographic details and personalities.
In the results, Strachan emerged as the least likely candidate to lift the trophy come the end of the series out of the full line-up.
A spokesperson from FruitySlots delved into the findings, telling GB News: “As we gear up for another exciting season of Dancing On Ice, it’s clear that there’s a fierce competition ahead.
“Based on our supercomputer analysis, Chris Taylor is the clear front-runner, with a strong 19.6 percent chance of gliding to the top. Sam Aston is also a serious contender, closely followed by Dan Edgar and Josh Jones, who all have solid chances of making it to the final.
“However, not everyone is likely to make it that far. Sir Steve Redgrave and Michaela Strachan appear to have their work cut out, with less than one percent chance of winning.
“It’s unlikely that we will see them making it through the first few weeks given their competition, but you never know, there may be some surprises in store!”
Redgrave is only narrowly ahead of Strachan according to the data when it comes to the probability of them lifting the trophy, with the latter given a 0.4 percent chance of victory ahead of the Olympic rower’s 0.6 percent.
Strachan may be able to take consolation in the fact she emerged much more favourably with others bookmakers, however.
According to Betfred, not only is Strachan set to see off Redgrave in the competition, she’s also been given a respectable chance at the title with odds of 8/1 to win the competition.
Analysing the odds, Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said to GB News: “While Mollie Pearce fell short of winning the hit game show The Traitors, her chances of taking home the trophy in this year’s Dancing on Ice look much stronger. She currently leads the market, priced at 5/1 to skate her way to victory.
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“That said, it’s shaping up to be a tight contest, with Coronation Street star Sam Aston and former Love Island favourite Chris Taylor both hot on her heels at 9/2.
“Meanwhile, things aren’t looking so promising for Olympic rower Steve Redgrave, whose odds of winning stand at a bleak 50/1.”
This means her chances of victory are stronger than the likes of Ferne McCann, Chelsee Healey, Anton Ferdinand, Josh Jones, and Redgrave ahead of the series opener.
DOI fans will have to tune into Sunday’s premiere to see how Strachan fares against her competitors as all 11 stars take to the ice live for the first time.