If you’re already feeling a bit despondent about the fact that this series of Strictly Come Dancing is soon coming to a close, fear not! The Strictly Live UK 2012 tour is already taking shape – with the confirmation of new celebrity names to the tour line-up.

Most recent to sign up to the arena tour that will travel the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland are footballing legend Robbie Savage, actress Anita Dobson, McFly’s drummer Harry Judd and former Olympic swimmer Mark Foster. People following the Strictly Come dancing winner odds will be impressed.

The latest names will be added to the line-up of Nancy Dell’Olio, the diminutive Chelsee Healey and everyone’s favourite Australian – Jason Donovan.

The 2012 Strictly Live Tour will be directed by Craig Revel Horwood for the second time, and Kate Thornton will be the tour’s host. Revel Horwood will also act as judge on the dancing tour, along with his colleagues Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman.

Venues include Nottingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield, Dublin and Belfast. The celebrities and their dancing partners will have to make sure they have time to put their feet up between shows on what appears to be a hectic touring schedule.

But who is likely to be crowned the dancing King and Queen at the Wembley Arena final? Jason Donovan and Kristina currently have odds of around 3/1, just behind Harry Judd and Aliona who are the bookies’ favourites at 5/4. Chelsee and her partner Pasha are also in the running at 7/2 in the Strictly Come Dancing odds. Those far less likely to win are dancing partners Russell Grant and Flavia, Alex Jones and James or Anita Dobson and Robin.

Even though Artem is out of action, he and Holly Valance are still in with a chance as the bookies have given them odds of about 11/1. Fans will be wishing Artem a speedy recovery from his injury, in the hope that he will be back on the dancing floor before the show’s final. Brendan Cole had been Lulu’s partner until they were eliminated, so he was able to fill in for Artem last weekend as Holly’s dancing partner.

Misha B has said she felt she was unfairly forced into the sing-off on last week’s X Factor with Kitty Brucknell.

Appearing on the Xtra Factor, Misha claimed that her being in the bottom two for the second time was more to do with earlier disagreements with judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa, who had accused her of bullying other acts behind the scenes. She told Xtra Factor hosts Olly Murs and Caroline Flack that she felt the public had been influenced by these negative stories about her. People looking at the X Factor betting may want to bear this in mind.

The 19 year old student from Manchester has been singing since the age of 14. She was given up as a baby by her mother and her aunt Lily has brought her up. Misha has said she found singing helps her to sort through and understand her feelings.

Although the judges have taken back their earlier accusations, Misha still feels it affected how the public voted at the weekend. However, at the end of the day the singing was more important than any personality clashes. Misha sang Born This Way by Lady Gaga, and then survived the sing-off with Kitty. Those looking at the X Factor winner odds should remember this.

Never far from controversy, it’s also rumoured that Misha’s Saturday night performance may have been a bit off because she was furious about Amelia Lily’s reinstatement to the contest, following the departure of wild child Frankie Cocozza. The rumour is that both Misha and Marcus Collins felt Amelia Lily’s return was contrary to the spirit of the contest, and unfair.

Amelia’s also had to do some backtracking after there were rumours that she’d refused to go back to the Hertfordshire mansion because of the negative atmosphere amongst the contestants. However, Amelia and Misha appeared together on the Xtra Factor, with Amelia saying that everyone had welcomed her back and they were all ‘nicer than ever’.

Eccentric X Factor contestant Kitty Brucknell is said to have landed herself in trouble with producers on the show.

The 26-year-old reportedly performed a pole dance and strutted her stuff with a number of male dancers, all the time wearing very little – a low-cut top, knickers and fishnet tights.

According to The Mirror, she was deemed to be making a mockery of the friendly-family image X Factor tries to achieve and it’s particularly bad considering the show promised to tone things down this year. People placing an X Factor bet should remember this.

An insider told the newspaper: “Kitty is always pushing things to the limits but she will be in trouble over her antics.”

The source added that the wannabe “went too far” when she was trying to have fun – “cocktails were being necked, she was pole dancing and she was grinding up against one man very provocatively”.

X Factor doesn’t want to be associated with such things and “she will be told to rein it in or she will not be allowed out again”, the insider claimed. Those following the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

Kitty narrowly got through last week on the show, after her mentor, Louis Walsh opted to save her, rather than take the vote to deadlock. She saw Sami Brookes leave instead of her, but she could end up in the bottom two again this week, according to the bookies’ odds.

Sophie Habibis might also be at risk this weekend, as she seems to be feeling a bit under the weather.

She tweeted saying she “was not feeling well at all” and she was spotted entering the X Factor house with a badge saying ‘I’m on voice rest’.

If she doesn’t sing well on Saturday’s Fright Night, she might be at risk of being in the bottom two, especially since the judges seem to think the public haven’t seen the ‘real Sophie’ yet.

Strictly Come Dancing 2011 continues to quick step its way to ratings success this year, in the battle for audience figures against ITV’s X Factor.

The BBC must be beaming with pride after Strictly gained more than one million extra viewers when it went head to head (for the second time) with X Factor this weekend, while we’d imagine Simon Cowell is sticking pins into his Louis Walsh voodoo doll. Those looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds should remember this.

Cowell left the X Factor judging panel this year to concentrate on the US version of the show, leaving Louis as the only remaining former judge in a line up that now also consists of N-Dubz’s Tulisa Contostavlos, Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland and Take That’s Gary Barlow.

Whether the show’s lower viewing figures are as a result of this new line up is hard to say, but the figures show that its viewing audience has dropped by almost two million compared to last year. Buff but boring Gary Barlow doesn’t seem to think that the new judges are to blame however (well, he wouldn’t, would he) and has instead criticised the standard of some of the singers this year. Anyone following the Strictly Come Dancing betting should bear this in mind.

The Strictly Come Dancing judges don’t have such worries however, as the show’s appeal lies in the fact that some of the contestants are fantastic and others are endearingly terrible when it comes to dancing. And, unlike on X Factor, the contestants are familiar faces already, so audiences already have a vested interest in the contestants and a prebuilt sense of loyalty and familiarity.

When the two talent shows went head to head this weekend, Strictly came away with 9.4 million viewers, leaving X Factor eating its dust with an average of 8.3.

Pint-sized popstrel Lulu and pro dancer Brendan Cole may have brought a tear to Zoe Ball’s eyes in the Broadway episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2011, but rules are rules and Craig Revel Horwood was not impressed when the two performed an ‘illegal’ lift.

If you want to take the risk of losing points, said the chocolate-named one, you take the risk of losing points. It’s hardly the crime of the century, but in the world of Strictly Come Dancing, these things matter.

In the same episode, ex Queen Vic landlady Anita Dobson and professional dancer Robin Windsor did the jive. Craig again had something to say, namely that Anita was ‘a bit loose’ and needed to keep her legs together. But what about her dancing Craig?! Ah, how we jest. She’s a very happily married lady (to Brian May out of Queen no less) and Revel Horwood was of course referring to her dancing technique. People looking at the Strictly Come Dancing betting should remember this.

Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani did a Grease style jive which went down a treat with the judges, including acid-tongued Craig. Nothing to do with his sculpted chest and pretty face of course! Bravely attempting some tango steps, self-proclaimed ‘Italian siren’ and former Sven snogger Nancy Dell’Olio, along with long-suffering Rob Brydon doppelganger Anton Du Beke were the foil to Jason and Kristina, who danced their way to the top of the leader board again, to Priscilla Queen of the Desert’s ‘I Will Survive’. Anyone looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds should bear this in mind.

Holly Valance showed Artem Chigvintsev who was boss in a hot to trot tango, making a sizzling impression on the judges, but it wasn’t quite feisty enough for Alesha Dixon.

A slight wardrobe malfunction saw Holly’s heel getting stuck in her frock but the duo weren’t phased and Holly promised they would come back bigger and better next week.

Every year on Strictly Come Dancing it seems that the smell of all that fake tan (mmm, biscuity), the sparkle of all those sequins and the glisten of all those oiled chests (and we’re definitely not just talking about the women here, never has there been such a sea of heavages as on Strictly Come Dancing) get too much for our contestants and dancers to bear and they fall into one another’s arms, fake tan and sequins colliding, unable to hide their mutual lust anymore.

That’s right, we’re talking Strictly Come Dancing romancing (hey, that rhymes!). A series of Strictly just isn’t really a series without one dancing pair getting a bit too suspiciously saucy with their salsas, a bit too randy with their rumbas, slightly too fresh with their foxtrots, or… well, you get the idea: there’s always at least one pair who give the impression they’re enjoying the horizontal waltz off camera. People who follow the Strictly Come Dancing betting will know this always boosts their chances.

Last year, Kara Tointon ‘off of Eastenders’ (her sister was in Hollyoaks, fact fans) won with her professional dance partner, Artem Chigvintsev, and also won his heart, awww. So she’ll most likely be glued to the screens this season, or sitting on the sidelines of the stage throwing warning glances at her waltzing chunk of Russian hunk if there’s any sign of unnecessary bum-touching with his current dance partner, Aussie soap-come-pop star and general hottie, Holly Valance. Those looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips should bear this in mind.

On top of Artem and Kara (not literally) there’s self-professed dancing playboy Brendan Cole, who was rumoured to be partaking in some fancy footwork off-screen with news reader and owl-shaped hair lady Natasha Kaplinsky, in series one. He didn’t try it on with Fiona Phillips. Guess that Oil of Olay isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

X Factor judges Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh are reportedly no longer speaking, after a row at the weekend.

The pair came to blows on Saturday night when Kelly took offence to Louis claiming Frankie Cocozza had lost his “swagger” and then she is said to have deliberately talked over the X Factor veteran.

According to The Mirror, Louis told a pal: “Kelly just waltzed in here from America and thinks she knows everything about the show.”

He also reportedly feels that Kelly is mocking some of his acts – namely Johnny Robinson and Kitty Brucknell.

An X Factor source told the newspaper that the way Kelly spoke to Louis was “unacceptable as far as he is concerned”.

“There’s no love lost behind the scenes and Louis and Kelly are not speaking off screen and haven’t since Saturday night,” the insider claimed.

According to the source, Louis is working hard with his acts to ensure they have “incredible performances” and is keen to up the game. People following the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

Louis seems to have turned some of his acts into joke ones recently though, with presenter Phillip Schofield slating his outfit choice for Kitty Brucknell at the weekend.

Speaking on This Morning, Schofield said: “I don’t know why the overs have to be jokes…Why did Kitty have to be at a Mad Hatter’s tea party? Just because they are a bit older does it mean that they have to be novelty?”

But Louis has always been a fan of joke acts on the show and this is said to be the reason one of his former protégés, Goldie, left the show.

Sources claimed she thought she was being ridiculed for her performances, which is why she dropped out after the judges’ houses stage – making way for Sami Brookes.

So the X Factor live shows are well underway now and last week saw four hopefuls booted off, thanks to this year’s ‘big twist’, so now it’s time to push on with the charity single.

In 2011, the contestants – including those who didn’t make it through last week – will be covering 1978 hit Wishing on a Star by Rose Royce to raise money for ACT & Children’s Hospices UK.

This will be the fourth charity single done by X Factor, with previous covers including David Bowie’s Heroes and You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson. Those looking at the X Factor betting will keep a close eye on things.

Show creator Simon Cowell said he was “thrilled” this year’s finalists will be helping out the charity, which he says does “amazing work”.

Craig Colton, the current male bookies’ favourite to win the show, said: “It’s an honour to record this song, and an honour to be a part of a charity with such a great cause.”

Sophie Habibis, meanwhile, said she loves the song and “can’t wait to release it”, adding that she hopes it does well and raises plenty of money.

In the past couple of years, the money raised has gone to Help for Heroes, with Hero by Mariah Carey becoming the fastest-selling charity single in a decade back in 2008.

This year’s charity offers support and palliative care to children and young people who aren’t expected to live to adulthood. People following the X Factor odds will be pleased the finalists are giving something back.

Barbara Gelb, CEO of the charity, said they were “delighted” to be the recipient’s of the programme’s fundraising efforts. “The money raised from this single gives us the opportunity to improve the lives of these children and families,” she said.

The single is available to download from November 20th and features vocals from all 16 finalists on the show, including favourites Janet Devlin and Misha B.

X Factor judge Kelly Rowland has revealed that she’s looking for a “global star” to emerge from this year’s show.

The former Destiny’s Child singer made it clear that she doesn’t share the same view as her co-judge Tulisa Contostavlos, who believes a UK star will come out of the programme.

In an interview with The Mirror, Kelly said: “Me and Tulisa will differ. I heard Tulisa say, ‘We’re looking for that next big UK star’, and I said, ‘Well I’m looking for the next international star because you can’t just put someone in a box, you give them everything they deserve.”

The singer said she wants to ensure the winning act scores international success, explaining that she wants them to be better than her, Lady Gaga and Beyonce. People looking to place an X Factor bet should remember this.

Kelly is very confident that the winner of this year’s X Factor could well be among the girls she is mentoring. “I haven’t got a winner, I’ve got some winners,” she said, describing the eight as “powerhouses”.

She said there are people in her group who have the potential to “give X Factor a completely different feeling” this year – presumably she’s referring to singers like Amelia Lily and Jade Richards, both of whom have very unique styles. Those following the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

Kelly, again, reiterated the fact she won’t be taking any nonsense from the girls in her category, saying that she’s made it clear she wouldn’t deal with any diva-like behaviour, as was rumoured to have been seen in Cher Lloyd and Katie Waissel last year.

If the bookies’ favourites are anything to go by, the winner will almost certainly come from Kelly’s category with Janet Devlin, Amelia Lily and Melanie McCabe all featuring high up on the list.

Yes, they really are at it again – this year’s X Factor contestants are already putting in the overtime to make sure their sob stories get a good media airing!
Never was there a better time than this time last year, when Simon Cowell was reported to have put a ban on sob stories- cue significantly less blubbing and irritation in the run-up to the judges’ houses stage. But unfortunately, with Cowell out of the picture, it seems sob stories are very much getting the thumbs up this year.

The worst thing is, it’s not even like you can avoid them by skipping through the spiel having purposefully Sky-plussed the show and stopped at the first ad break. This year, they’ve taken to spilling their guts to every tabloid in the country and every news provider has managed to flood the internet with their inane life stories and the hardship they’ve had to face along the way. Those looking at the X Factor winner odds will be wondering if the victor really will have a hard luck story.

Of course, some people do have a genuine and depressing sob story to tell – but there are very few viewers who feel the contestants telling their tale of woe does anything for their singing talent, surely?

We’ve had 19-year-old Misha Byron – who would’ve been amazing even if we didn’t know her parents had abandoned her and she’d been raised by her aunt and Lascel Wood – again, with an amazing voice – who grew up in foster care, because his mum suffers from bipolar disorder.

But the sob story winner by far, as she’s the one who’s successfully sold her story to the papers, has to be Kitty Brucknell.

The hopeful has managed to divide the public as well as Marmite – claiming those who dislike her (and have been sending her death threats!) are envious of her beauty and confidence. Ah yes, Kitty, what a great way to make people warm to you! The X Factor odds suggest she is not very popular.

And now her latest attempt at sympathy has come in the form of the 26-year-old opening up to the tabloids about the death of her brother. She explained that her sibling, Christopher, who died in a motorbike accident at the age of 13, was a “talented violinist” who dreamed of stardom.

“I feel like I’m going to set the bar really high just because my parents would never have even had me, if he was still alive.”

Only time will tell whether Kitty’s seemingly fame-hungry antics will see her crowned this year’s X Factor winner…