Joey Essex has been handed a huge Dancing on Ice boost, after his impressive debut has see his odds of winning the show slashed, with him now second favourite to triumph.
Joey and professional partner, former champion Vanessa Bauer got everyone talking when they opened last Sunday's launch show, as Dancing on Ice returned for a new series. Their polished routine to big band anthem Mack the Knife took a lot of people by surprise and saw them end the night in second spot on the leaderboard, as early tip to win, Ekin-Su ended up in the skate-off.
Joey and Vanessa also became a hot topic for another reason, as host Holly Willoughby seemingly 'confirmed' the romance rumours surrounding the pair, by asking ex TOWIE star Joey: "It would be fair to say you're enjoying the partnership right?"
A slightly flustered Joey replied: "Well yeah, I mean... she's easy on the eye," as Holly told him: "Yes she is an she's an excellent skater!"
It's now Joey's skating abilities that have forced bookmakers to take action and completely overhaul their odds, to put Joey and Vanessa as second favourites to win, right behind Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, who is out in front after topping the standings at the weekend.
Joey and Vanessa are currently on odds of 11/4 to win, behind Nile on 11/8. While she is yet to make her debut, with that coming this Sunday night, Coronation Street actress Mollie Gallagher is third in the most recent odds, with ex Hollyoaks favourite turned theatre actress Carley Stenson in fourth.
The Wanted's Siva Kaneswaran currently rounds out the top five on odds of 10/1.
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