RICKY Whittle is now favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing with some bookmakers - despite only having a cameo performance in the weekend’s opening round.
The 26-year-old’s role was restricted to the group mambo dance on Friday night, but he did enough to catch the eye of the judges.
The performance of the Hollyoaks actor, who lives with St Helens co-star and girlfriend Carley Stenson in Billinge, was described as “sexy” by new judge Alesha Dixon and also won praise from head judge Len Goodman.
Ricky had gone into the weekend as second favourite with many bookies, but the odds altered after a leaden performance by early favourite Joe Calzaghe, the former boxing champion.
Paddy Power have Ricky, who formerly lived in Moss Bank, at 9/4 to win outright, with actress Ali Bastian second favourite at 5/2.
Blue Square, meanwhile, have Ricky as 5-2 favourite.
He will appear on the dancefloor with Aussie Natalie Lowe to face marks from the judges for the first time this Friday.
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