Shayne Ward dealt a huge blow as Strictly Come Dancing stars battle to make Blackpool Week

SHAYNE Ward is facing an uphill struggle on this weekend's Strictly and will be sent home, according to bookies.

The former Coronation Street star and his professional partner Nancy Xu will perform a Rumba to Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper in tonight's show.

With Blackpool just seven days away, the stakes couldn't be higher for the remaining stars, who will all be desperate to perform in the iconic Blackpool Tower ballroom.

However, it's not looking good for Shayne after Ladbrokes slashed his odds to 10/11 to be voted off the show next.

He is now the clear favourite to leave, followed by Wynne Evans at 9/4.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "As far as the odds and punters are concerned, it looks like Shayne Ward’s Strictly journey will come to an end this weekend.”

The actor has given his all to the competition and had a rough ride early on when he was accused by some viewers of being "insufferably cocky".

He addressed the criticism head on and has impressed the judges with eye-catching routines since. Last week he earned 35 points, tying in fourth place with Gladiator Montell Douglas.

Nine couples remain in the running to win the BBC dance contest this year.

This includes Towie alum Pete Wicks and his professional partner, Jowita Przystał.

In week seven - otherwise known as Icons Week - the two were bottom of the leaderboard with 22 points.

However, viewers believe Pete's next dance will see him advance to the prestigious Blackpool Week.

He and Jowita will be performing their Couple's Choice to The Best by Nicotine Dolls.

One person wrote on Reddit: "Couples choice for weakest dancers.

"Definitely helping get Pete through."

Another added: "Pete's couples choice is gonna see him sneak through again isn't it."

A third commented: "The producers have given up on trying to even keep in JB and Shayne who are probably due to face each other in the DO with Chris & Pete playing the CC card."

While a fourth remarked: "I think this was the best time for Pete and Chris to do their couple's choice.

Former Strictly pro Ola Jordan named Pete as the "worst one" in the competition - and suggested he's on "borrowed time".

Speaking on behalf of after Pete's Icons Week salsa, she said: "I can see Pete tries so hard and I felt sorry for him because he messed up badly at the beginning of his routine, but his lifts were amazing."

She added: "He is on borrowed time, but people love Pete and he is getting the votes.

"He's got an audience who are obviously voting for him and keeping him out of the bottom two."