Strictly Come Dancing fans are all well aware that the show is plagued by rumours of a curse – that people partaking run the risk of their relationships breaking down.
But apparently, there’s another curse that could threaten to cut short Gemma Atkinson’s journey in this year’s series.
She and partner Aljaz Skornajec have done phenomenally well to make it to the semi finals but this week could be the end of the line – because of their choice of dance.
Each of the couples will perform two routines at this stage of the competition.
One of Gemma’s is the Tango… to The Knack’s My Sharona.
And this could spell bad news as this dance has caused more exits than any other in the history of Strictly. Yikes!
According to research, the Tango has accounted for 14 per cent of eliminations over the course of the show’s history.
“Viewed as the ultimate test, the Tango is certainly a favourite amongst Strictly viewers,” Alan Alger, spokesman for Betway, commented.
“The sizzling routines make it difficult to pull off, and our research suggests it’s very much a risk-reward scenario for dancers who attempt the notoriously tricky dance.
“This week, Gemma Atkinson has opted for the Tango, a move which we think could prove costly.”
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Indeed Betway has given Gemma and Aljaz, who will also be performing the Rumba to Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth featuring Emeli Sande, odds of 11/8 to be given the boot. Double yikes.
Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones are favourites with Betway to win the competition, at even money. This week, they’ll be performing an American Smooth to Robbie Williams’ Have You Met Miss Jones? and an Argentine Tango to Human by Rag n’ Bone Man.
Following all the bad press about her alleged backstage ‘meltdowns’, Alexandra Burke will be very much under the spotlight as she and Gorka Marquez perform the Salsa to Finally by CeCe Peniston and then the Viennese Waltz to Tina Arena’s Everybody Hurts.
Mollie King and AJ Pritchard will Waltz their way around the dancefloor to Sarah McLachlan’s Angel, before launching into a Samba to Shakira’s fiery Whenever, Wherever.
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And Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice – one of the series’ outstanding partnerships – will be attempting to cruise into the final with a Foxtrot to Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely, and then a Jive to the Pointer Sisters’ I’m So Excited.