Strictly Come Dancing 2020: Jacqui Smith’s swift exit ‘sealed’ as Shirley spots problem

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Strictly Come Dancing season is well underway with the celebrities now all partnered up with the professional dancers. After much speculation, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was paired with Anton du Beke, who has featured on every series since the BBC show began in 2004. Anton made it to the final in 2019 with Emma Barton, will he have the same luck with Jacqui?

Not according to head judge Shirley Ballas, who admitted she felt Jacqui looked a “bit nervous”.

The UK’s first female Home Secretary confessed she is going to “throw myself into the challenge” when it was announced she’d signed up to Strictly.

However, it seems her nerves might be catching up to her which could stop her from getting past week one.

Commenting on Jacqui’s pairing with Anton, Shirley remarked: “That looks like it’s going to be a fun partnership but she did look a little bit nervous.”

She added to The Sun: “Anton can bring fun and serious numbers, he can do ballroom, latin, and can tailor that to any individual.”

Bookies also aren’t sure how well Jacqui will fare in the competition as she’s currently favourite to be eliminated first.

Ladbrokes have revealed her odds of being sent packing on week one are priced at 11/10.

Former Strictly professional James Jordan told the bookies “it’s the same thing another year,” when it comes to Anton’s pairing.

“She seems lovely but I’m not expecting too much… She looks a bit better than Theresa May though,” he added.

But Jacqui isn’t the only celebrity who has been given a slight warning from Shirley.

EastEnders star Maisie Smith has been told not to be too confident.

She explained the 19-year-old must remember the show is a marathon, not a sprint.

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“I know she won the special but if I was Maisie I wouldn’t take anything for granted because doing one dance is not like doing ten weeks,” Shirley advised.

“You’ve got to be there and you’ve got to be full on and you’ve got to go the whole nine yards.

“You could see the competitive spirit, you could feel it.

“These people all look like they were at the starting block, ready to move forward.”

Despite Shirley’s warning, Maisie is the favourite to win this year’s series with partner Gorka Marquez.

Her odds of lifting the Glitterball Trophy have been priced at 7/4, however she does face competition from HRVY, Max George and Jamie Laing.

Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “Maisie may head the betting at the moment but there’s plenty of names hot on her heels in the race for this year’s Glitterball Trophy.

“It could well be one of the closest series’ we’ve ever seen.”

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday on BBC One at 7.25pm.

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