Who will replace Len Goodman as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing? The latest odds as Anton du Beke, Karen Hardy and Arlene Phillips are backed by the bookies
EARLIER this year, Strictly Come Dancing's Head Judge Len Goodman announced the 2016 series as his last - but who will replace him next year?
There has been much speculation around who will replace the ballroom veteran on the Strictly panel next year, with professionals Anton du Beke and Brendan Cole fuelling the rumour mill.
The Sun revealed that Darcey Bussell will be replacing Len as head judge, but there's still no word on who will fill that fourth spot.
Here's who is in the running, and could be replacing Len on the next series.
Who is Len backing?
Strictly Come Dancing is in its fourteenth year, and the series comes to an end this weekend.
This year's line-up included a host of celebrities, including Team GB'S Claudia Fragapane, Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph and TV presenter Laura Whitmore.
Len Goodman did announce that he felt Anton would make a good replacement after his departure.
He also named former Strictly professional Karen Hardy as another favourite, insisting he hopes his replacement will be ballroom veteran.
Len recently revealed that he suspects his replacement has been decided, although he has had no input on the matter.
Speaking to Holly and Phil on This Morning he insisted he has "no input" into who his successor will be, but hopes producers choose a judge with knowledge of the ballroom and Latin worlds in order to complement the skills of the other panelists, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.
He said: "I will have no input, it's all down to the producers but whoever they pick I'm sure will be the right choice.
Brendan has previously expressed his interest in taking on the role of judge on the Strictly panel next year.
Speaking for the first time about Len’s job, Brendan says: “I don’t think it’s going to be open and shut. I think they’ll go through a process like the BBC do with all of their big decisions."
Who is going to be the next Strictly judge?
Latest Sun Bets odds for the next Strictly judge
Karen Hardy 4/5
Anton DuBeke evens
Helen Richey 11/10
Gary Edwards 11/8
Arlene Phillips 4/1
Ian Waite 5/1
Robin Windsor 6/1
Gleb Savchenko 7/1
Mandy Moore 8/1
Tom Chambers 10/1
Cheryl 12/1
Erin Boag 16/1
John Meehan 16/1
Brendan Cole 20/1
Jason Gilkison 22/1
Kimberley Wyatt 25/1
Louie Spence 28/1
Caroline Flack 33/1
Andrew Lloyd Webber 40/1
Nigel Lythgoe 50/1
Lisa Riley 100/1
However despite his confidence, of 20/1, with Karen Hardy taking a strong lead.
The likes of Ian Waite, ballroom giant Gary Edwards and last year's professional Gleb Savchenko have all been placed with higher chances by the bookies than ballroom veteran Brendan.
Other potential replacements include Helen Richey, 71, a ballroom professional who is on the show’s Australian edition, and Arlene Phillips, 73, who was dropped from Strictly in 2009, Strictly professional Robin Windsor, 2008 Strictly winner Tom Chambers and retired ballet dancer John Meehan.
According to the bookies, also in the running includes Pineapple Dance Studios Louie Spence, Music Mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber, Dance sensation Kimberly Wyatt and TV personality and Strictly winner Caroline Flack.
When does this series end?
This year's series comes to an end on Saturday December 17, 6.35pm, BBC One, with results show at 9pm.
However Strictly fans can still get their fix, will the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour, where Len Goodman will make his last appearance as a judge.
Viewers can also look forward to the Strictly Christmas special which will air on Christmas Day.
Other odds are available from William