Matt Baker goes into Strictly final as favourite

Farmer’s son Matt Baker is going into the final of Strictly Come Dancing as the bookies favourite.

Bookmakers had Matt and his partner Aliona as odds-on favourites at 8/11 to win the dancing competition on Friday (17 Dec).

Kara Tointon and her partner Artem were second favourites at 7/4, with Pamela Stephenson and James the outsiders at 8/1.

The series, which has been running since early October, has been drawing audiences in excess of 12m each week.

Countryfile presenter Matt has been popular from the start – proving to be a talented and athletic dancer from the very first episode.

He will be hoping that the countryside vote helps him to clinch the coveted glitterball trophy.

He grew up in the Dales on his family’s sheep farm and during his time as Blue Peter presenter he often covered rural issues.

The Strictly Come Dancing Final will be on BBC One on Saturday (18 Dec) at 7pm and then 9.05pm.