Audience ‘manipulated’, says former Strictly pro Ola Jordan as new odds show Karen Carney tipped to win while Balvinder Sopal remains favourite to leave

Strictly Come Dancing’s semi-final is approaching, and new odds suggest Karen Carney is still the frontrunner to lift the Glitterball trophy, but former Strictly professional Ola Jordan has cast doubt on whether she truly deserves her place at the top.

Speaking on behalf of Mecca Bingo, Jordan said she believes the competition is being “slightly manipulated” as Ms Carney continues to surge ahead in the rankings.

Her comments come as online bookmaker Grosvenor Sport releases updated betting odds on who is most likely to leave this weekend and who remains favourite to win.

Ms Jordan predicted once again that Balvinder Sopal would face elimination, telling Mecca Bingo: “My prediction would be Balvinder again to go home. Obviously, she’s the weakest dancer in the competition.

Ola Jordan believes the competition is being “slightly manipulated”

“I think she’s going to be in the bottom two with one of the good dancers, possibly Amber or George, and then she will go out because she’s against someone very good.”

But when asked about Ms Carney becoming the new favourite to win, Jordan was far less convinced.

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“With Karen, it’s possible that she’s going to win. She’s not going to be in the bottom two,” she said.

“I do feel like she’s not as good a dancer as the others… I do think the audience has been manipulated slightly. She’s just not as good as the others. I find it a bit pushy, they’re pushing her.

New odds suggest Karen Carney is still the frontrunner to lift the Glitterball trophy

“Is it set up for her to get to the final? I think so. She’s not a finalist for me; the BBC, for some reason, wants her in the final.”

Ms Carney is performing the Samba this week, a dance Ms Jordan believes could reveal whether she deserves her place: “Samba might be the teller.”

Grosvenor Sport has Balvinder Sopal as the runaway favourite for elimination at 1/5, with spokesperson Simon Kew saying: “Even though she survived again and now holds the record for the most dance-off appearances, the market isn’t giving her much hope. Bookies clearly believe her luck is running out.”

Amber Davies follows on 11/2, while George Clarke, previously a long-shot, now sits at 9/1 after “a huge change” driven by leaderboard dips.

Ola Jordan appeared as a professional on the British BBC One television show Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2015, becoming champion in 2009

 | Mecca Bingo

Lewis Cope, meanwhile, shortens from 50/1 to 14/1, firmly positioned as one of the safest contestants.

Updated winner odds from Grosvenor Sport put Karen firmly in pole position:

Mr Kew said Ms Carney’s rapid climb from outsider to favourite was “one of the biggest shifts of the series”, driven by “her improvement, emotional connection with viewers and consistent routines”.

Ola Jordan said Balvinder Sopal is the weakest in the competition

 | BBCBut Ms Jordan’s remarks will raise questions about whether her lead reflects talent, or perceived favouritism.

For the latest odds, visit Grosvenor Sport’s Strictly Come Dancing Odds page.

All commentary from Ola Jordan provided on behalf of Mecca Bingo.