Could Ed Balls be heading for his last tango on Strictly this weekend?

He's repeatedly defied the odds '“ and the judges '“ during his remarkable run on Strictly Come Dancing.
Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.
Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.

But could this weekend be the one when Ed Balls waltzes off the show’s dancefloor for the final time?

Bookmaker William Hill certainly thinks so – and it suspects a BBC “plot” could be to blame.

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Strictly’s producers have announced that tomorrow’s contestants will be taking part in a new Cha Cha Challenge in addition to their planned routines.

Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.
Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.

Extra points will be up for grabs from the show’s judges for the best cha cha cha – and Ed has previously described the dance as a “nightmare”.

William Hill today had the former Morley and Outwood MP as its 6/4 favourite to leave this weekend, ahead of Judge Rinder (7/4) and Claudia Fragapane (9/2).

The bookmaker’s spokesman, Rupert Adams, said: “Before the BBC announced the Cha Cha Challenge, just 12 per cent of bets were for Ed Balls to get the boot this weekend.

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“That figure has risen to almost 40 per cent, it looks like the producers want to see the back of Balls.”

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BBC handout photo of  Ed Balls with his dance partner  Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. 
PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.EMABRGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only 
BBC handout photo of  Ed Balls with his dance partner  Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. 
PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
EMABRGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Ed Balls with his dance partner Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Ed has become the unlikely star of this series of Strictly, making it through to the final six despite his relative lack of dancing talent.

He has regularly received the lowest scores from Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and their fellow judges only to be saved by the public’s votes.

And he is adamant he won’t bow out of the competition voluntarily in the way that another people’s favourite, John Sergeant, did back in 2008.

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Speaking earlier this week, the one-time shadow chancellor said: “I’ve got to be respectful to people who are voting for me and using their money on the phone.”

Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.
Ed Balls and partner Katya Jones perform on Strictly.

He also admitted: “I’d love to get a seven from Craig or an eight from Len.”

Ed and his partner Katya Jones will be dancing the tango to the Rolling Stones track (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction as their main routine on tomorrow’s show.

Meanwhile, the BBC’s director-general has described Ed’s involvement in Strictly, particularly his dance to Gangnam Style, as a “national moment”.

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Lord Hall referenced the politician’s efforts during a speech at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer autumn conference.

EMABRGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only 
BBC handout photo of  Ed Balls with his dance partner  Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. 
PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.EMABRGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only 
BBC handout photo of  Ed Balls with his dance partner  Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. 
PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
EMABRGOED TO 2025 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Ed Balls with his dance partner Katya Jones during a dress rehearsal for tonight's live edition of the BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday October 1, 2016. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.

Ed danced to the hit track by South Korean artist Psy on week eight of Strictly.

Lord Hall said: “I mentioned Strictly ... It’s hard to argue that how well celebrities can dance is an important national issue.

“But you could certainly describe the former shadow chancellor doing the salsa on primetime, Gangnam Style, as something of a national moment.”

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