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Dixon tipped for Strictly success Dixon tipped for Strictly success
(about 7 hours later)
Singer Alesha Dixon is the bookmakers' favourite to win BBC One's ballroom show Strictly Come Dancing.Singer Alesha Dixon is the bookmakers' favourite to win BBC One's ballroom show Strictly Come Dancing.
She is tipped 1/3, ahead of actor Matt Di Angelo on 9/4. Each will perform five dances with their professional partners for the series finale later.She is tipped 1/3, ahead of actor Matt Di Angelo on 9/4. Each will perform five dances with their professional partners for the series finale later.
Dixon, 29, admitted she was "scared and excited" by the dance-off, adding that she had been practising for hours every day to perfect her routines.Dixon, 29, admitted she was "scared and excited" by the dance-off, adding that she had been practising for hours every day to perfect her routines.
Di Angelo, 20, said he had been working on his nerves and hoped to "enjoy it".Di Angelo, 20, said he had been working on his nerves and hoped to "enjoy it".
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HAVE YOUR SAY Who 'should' win? The best dancer of course!! Who 'will' win? The person the public 'like' the most Simon Whitfield, Peterborough Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Who 'should' win? The best dancer of course!! Who 'will' win? The person the public 'like' the most Simon Whitfield, Peterborough Send us your comments
The actor, better known as Deano Wicks in EastEnders, has been using various techniques to keep his nerves under control.The actor, better known as Deano Wicks in EastEnders, has been using various techniques to keep his nerves under control.
"I've tried a number of things," he said. "I picture walking along a beach when I'm walking out from behind the curtain."I've tried a number of things," he said. "I picture walking along a beach when I'm walking out from behind the curtain.
"Sounds stupid, but it worked last week fine.""Sounds stupid, but it worked last week fine."
Dixon is paired with professional dancer Matthew CutlerBoth competitors admitted that dancing had consumed their lives during the show's 12-week run.Dixon is paired with professional dancer Matthew CutlerBoth competitors admitted that dancing had consumed their lives during the show's 12-week run.
"By the way, dancers are not human beings," joked Dixon, who used to sing and rap in girl group Mis-teeq."By the way, dancers are not human beings," joked Dixon, who used to sing and rap in girl group Mis-teeq.
"How can you be human and do what they do?""How can you be human and do what they do?"
However, the dancing duo have become great friends and confessed they would find it hard to face each other in the final.However, the dancing duo have become great friends and confessed they would find it hard to face each other in the final.
"When you're competing against somebody, it would make it easier if you didn't like them," said Dixon."When you're competing against somebody, it would make it easier if you didn't like them," said Dixon.
"It would make my life easier if I didn't like him [Di Angelo]. It would make me more competitive.""It would make my life easier if I didn't like him [Di Angelo]. It would make me more competitive."
Normally, three celebrities take part in the final round of the reality show. There will only be two this year after actress Kelly Brook pulled out due to the death of her father.Normally, three celebrities take part in the final round of the reality show. There will only be two this year after actress Kelly Brook pulled out due to the death of her father.
Karen Hardy, who won last year's show with her dance partner, the cricketer Mark Ramprakash, told the BBC both competitors are strong contenders
She said: "Alesha is dynamic, gorgeous, powerful and put on a hundred great numbers. She is right at the top there.
"Matt - he is the young boy, unsung, but he is appealing to all those young beautiful people out there.
"Who is going to win? I'm going to say Matt - that could be Matt Di Angelo or it could be Matt Cutler. I can't tell you. I can't decide."
Dancing commences on BBC One at 1750 GMT with the results being revealed in a later show at 2125 GMT.Dancing commences on BBC One at 1750 GMT with the results being revealed in a later show at 2125 GMT.