Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton is the bookmakers' favourite to replace Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel if he ever chooses to leave the BBC series.

And while nothing has been confirmed, experts and the bookmakers have been sharing their thoughts on the judge's replacement after Craig said he wanted to retire when he is 60.

According to a survey carried out by Betway, Kevin Clifton has been given odds of 7/4 of replacing Craig - joining Shirley Ballas, Anton du Beke, and Motsi Mabuse on the panel.

Louis Spense is close behind him with odds of 3/1, while Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo comes in third with odds of 5/1. Other names thrown into the mix are Strictly pros Neil Jones, Cynthia Erivo, and AJ Pritchard.

Rylan Clark and Stacey Dooley are also among the bookmakers' predictions. Chad Yeomans, spokesperson at Betway, commented: "Craig Revel Horwood recently admitted that his dancing days are over but vowed he won't be retiring anytime soon.

"However, the Strictly judge, who has been on the show since day one, will turn 60 next January, and if reaching that milestone causes a change of heart, we make former Strictly star Kevin Clifton the favourite to replace him!"

It wouldn't be an unusual move for a former Strictly dancer to take a seat on the judging panel.

Anton du Beke has joined Craig, Shirley, and Motsi for the past three years on the panel.

In an interview from 2023, Craig, who has been a staple on Strictly since 2004, admitted he was ready to "hang up his dancing shoes".

The fierce judge admitted he "wants to enjoy life" when he turns 60, which is in two years' time.

When discussing his retirement plans, Craig shared: "I'm working hard while I can, especially as I love what I do. It keeps me on my toes, darlings!

"I'm now the same age as the late, great Len Goodman was when he first started - that's scary, isn't it?!"

He added to Best Magazine: "The reason I look forward to it every year is because the cast changes.

"I think that's what's fun about it, it doesn't age. And this year's line-up is fab-u-lous!"

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.