Colne’s Natalie Gumede no longer Strictly Come Dancing favourite

The former Coronation Street villain is now second in line to newsreader Susanna Reid - who thrilled the judges with her fiery Paso Doble during the latest Blackpool show.

According to leading odds comparison site www.easyodds.com Susanna’s odds are now 15/8, in comparison to Natalie who is expected to reach the final at 2/1.

An easyodds spokesman said: “The soap actress has maintained a consistently high level of performance every week and is expected to make the show piece final in December. But fabulous recent performances from her newsreader rival have seen the competition for the title become hotter than ever.”

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, herself a one-time favourite, is now a distant third at 7/1.

English actor Mark Benton is the heavy favourite at 2/7 for the next exit, with Ben Cohen the next in line at a much lengthier 7/1.