![\"\\u200bOla](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/u200bola-jordan.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStrictly Come Dancing\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Speaking on behalf of Mecca Bingo, Jordan said she believes the competition is being \u201cslightly manipulated\u201d as Ms Carney continues to surge ahead in the rankings.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ms Jordan predicted once again that Balvinder Sopal would face elimination, telling Mecca Bingo: \u201cMy prediction would be Balvinder again to go home. Obviously, she\u2019s the weakest dancer in the competition. <\/p>\n
Ola Jordan believes the competition is being \u201cslightly manipulated\u201d<\/p>\n
| <\/p>\n
Mecca Bingo<\/p>\n
“I think she\u2019s 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\u2019s against someone very good.\u201d<\/p>\n
But when asked about Ms Carney becoming the new favourite to win, Jordan was far less convinced.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Karen, it\u2019s possible that she\u2019s going to win. She\u2019s not going to be in the bottom two,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do feel like she\u2019s not as good a dancer as the others\u2026 I do think the audience has been manipulated slightly. She\u2019s just not as good as the others. I find it a bit pushy, they\u2019re pushing her. <\/p>\n
![\"BBC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bbc-strictly-karen-carney-and-carlos-gu.png\")
New odds suggest Karen Carney is still the frontrunner to lift the Glitterball trophy<\/p>\n
| BBC<\/p>\n
“Is it set up for her to get to the final? I think so. She\u2019s not a finalist for me; the BBC, for some reason, wants her in the final.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Carney is performing the Samba this week, a dance Ms Jordan believes could reveal whether she deserves her place: \u201cSamba might be the teller.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grosvenor Sport has Balvinder Sopal as the runaway favourite for elimination at 1\/5, with spokesperson Simon Kew saying: \u201cEven though she survived again and now holds the record for the most dance-off appearances, the market isn\u2019t giving her much hope. Bookies clearly believe her luck is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amber Davies follows on 11\/2, while George Clarke, previously a long-shot, now sits at 9\/1 after \u201ca huge change\u201d driven by leaderboard dips.<\/p>\n
![\"\\u200bOla](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765625471_252_u200bola-jordan.jpg\")
Ola Jordan appeared as a professional on the British BBC One television show Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2015, becoming champion in 2009<\/p>\n
| <\/p>\n
Mecca Bingo<\/p>\n
Lewis Cope, meanwhile, shortens from 50\/1 to 14\/1, firmly positioned as one of the safest contestants.<\/p>\n
Updated winner odds from Grosvenor Sport put Karen firmly in pole position:<\/p>\n
Karen Carney \u2014 4\/9 (favourite)<\/p>\n
George Clarke \u2014 11\/5<\/p>\n
Lewis Cope \u2014 15\/2<\/p>\n
Amber Davies \u2014 50\/1<\/p>\n
Balvinder Sopal \u2014 100\/1<\/p>\n
Mr Kew said Ms Carney’s rapid climb from outsider to favourite was \u201cone of the biggest shifts of the series\u201d, driven by \u201cher improvement, emotional connection with viewers and consistent routines\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"BBC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/bbc-strictly-balvinder-sopal.jpg\")
Ola Jordan said Balvinder Sopal is the weakest in the competition<\/p>\n
| BBC<\/p>\n
But Ms Jordan\u2019s remarks will raise questions about whether her lead reflects talent, or perceived favouritism.<\/p>\n
For the latest odds, visit Grosvenor Sport\u2019<\/a>s Strictly Come Dancing Odds page.<\/p>\n