Who will replace Len Goodman as head judge on Strictly Come Dancing?
Former Strictly star Karen Hardy, US choreographer Mandy Moore and Gleb Savchenko are all tipped to take over
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hardy and US choreographer Mandy Moore have been unveiled as the surprise favourites to replace Len Goodman.
The veteran performer announced today that he is quitting his role as head judge, and speculation is already rife over who will take over.
Bookies have now revealed that the show's former professional dancer Karen is their top pick along with So You Think You Can Dance star Mandy.
They have both received odds of 3/1 from William Hill, putting them in the lead as the race to replace Len gets underway.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: "Len will be a tough act to follow and this is a decision that the people in charge at Strictly will no doubt agonise over for a while although the odds suggest that there are quite a few names that they could consider."
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Other names said to be in contention include former show regular Arlene Phillips who is tipped to make a comeback at 4/1, as well as other former Strictly stars Ian Waite at 5/1, and Anton du Beke and Gleb Savchenko both at 6/1.
Brendan Cole has odds of 12/1 and last year's winner 14/1 Jay McGuiness.
Outsiders include veteran entertainer Donny Osmond who is at 16/1, Lisa Riley at 33/1 and former contestant Caroline Flack who also has 33/1.
Departed Prime Minister David Cameron was also thrown into the mix, with odds of 5000/1 of him joining the panel in 2017 .
Current favourite Karen has been involved with Strictly on and off since 2005, when she was partnered with news presenter Bill Turnbull and finished seventh in the competition.
She went on to win the show the following year with cricketer Mark Ramprakash, and continued as a Strictly professional until 2009.
However, she has remained involved by making regular appearances on spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Her background in professional dance and her years of experience with Strictly certainly put her in good stead to take over from beloved judge Len.
The other hot favourite is So You Think You Can Dance star Mandy.
She has spent years working on the US talent show, and even brought her talents to the short-lived UK version which ran from 2010-2011.
Mandy has also handled the choreography for other versions of the format in countries such as Canada, Ukraine and Holland.
It is believed the new addition to the panel will come into Strictly under the guidance of a new head judge and bookies have named Bruno Tonioli as the frontrunner for the job.
Paddy Power has given him odds of 7/4 to be crowned leader of the judging panel, ahead of his rival Craig Revel Horwood who trails with 5/2.
Anton Du Beke is on 4/1 which puts him ahead of current judge Darcey Bussell who far behind with 12/1.