Kelvin Fletcher praises Chris McCausland as standout dancer in Strictly Come Dancing 2023

Strictly Come Dancing's 2019 champion, Kelvin Fletcher, believes one celebrity "stands out" among this year's batch of dancers - but was unable to pick a winner.

Following the departure of opera singer Wynne Evans and his dance partner Katya Jones on Sunday night's show, only seven pairs remain in the contest.

Although athlete Montell Douglas and her professional partner Johannes Radebe managed to survive the dreaded dance-off, it was Evans and Jones who had to say their goodbyes.

Kelvin, a household name from his time in Emmerdale, lifted the glitterball trophy with Oti Mabuse five years ago and has since been an avid viewer of the show, often watching the routines alongside his kids. Despite the impressive array of talent this series, he believes Chris McCausland is truly notable amongst the dancers.

Speaking on behalf of whichbingo, Kelvin lauded McCausland's efforts throughout the series. Chris, notching up a personal best score of 37 recently, has not only made history as Strictly's first visually impaired competitor but has also quickly become one of the public favorites to clinch the title.

Speaking about Chris, Kelvin said "I think for me, genuinely, it's not, if I dare say it's not about the winner, as an as a viewer, I love to see people who would genuinely love what they're doing and I think Chris stands out when he's dancing.

"He looks like he loves to dance and then you add that what he must be going through, the challenge he must face to do that as a person who can't see, I can't begin to think the challenges that he faces.

"Because all the challenges I face, and everybody else, in that sense, because it's tough, it's gruelling, you're doing things that you've never done before, and you can't do it, and we try and do it, and the pressure that the nerves, the excitement, the joy, all these emotions.

"He's the one person I enjoy - I like watching everybody, but he's the one person I sit back and think he absolutely loves that moment.

"I'm sure he's nervous, and I'm sure he's doubting himself, but when that music starts and you can't help but think, 'go - go on lad! ' And that's the feeling it gives me.

He continued to praise Chris, saying: "I think he personifies that show, and what that show is about. It's an accepting, inclusive show that just celebrates different personalities, different walks of life, different people, and it's a level playing field in a sense of, there's your song, there's a few techniques, there's a few rules that you have to do."

"It's just a chance to go out there and do some dancing and express yourself."

When asked to pick a winner, he replied: "I don't know. This is the thing. I think they're all in the running, aren't they?"

"I'm not too sure the bookies have as a favourite - I don't know if I was a favourite! I'm not too sure who the favourites are.

"I think it will be exciting to see who's lifting that Glitterball at the end."

He commented: "Maybe I've got an eye for it to work out who's going to win, as an ex-winner, but you never know. I guess maybe that's the beauty of the show. It's complete unknown.

"And that's what's exciting. I think for me, genuinely, it's not, if I dare say it's not about the winner and as a viewer, I love to see people who would genuinely love what they're doing."

Comedian Chris McCausland is presently the favourite to take the crown in the series, with Sarah Hadland and Tasha Ghouri trailing behind in the betting odds.