
BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2025 season has kicked off with all 15 celebrity contestants performing their first live routines, but one name already stands out as the most likely first elimination. Ross King, the longtime LA showbiz correspondent for ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, finds himself at the bottom of both judges' scores and bookmakers' predictions after his initial Cha Cha performance scored just 10 points overall. Judge Craig Revel Horwood described the routine as "very awkward," setting a challenging tone for the Scottish presenter's ballroom journey.
The entertainment reporter's struggles were compounded by betting odds that placed him as the clear favorite for early departure. Bookmakers Coral gave King 2-1 odds to be the first contestant eliminated once voting begins, while BOYLE sports had previously positioned him at 80/1 to win the Glitterball Trophy—the longest odds among all competitors. These predictions came even before his live performance, suggesting early training sessions had already signaled difficulties for the television veteran.
King himself appears to share the pessimistic outlook, having admitted to struggling from the first day of rehearsals and telling his girlfriend Bridget to attend the initial live show because he doesn't anticipate many more appearances. The physical demands of Strictly training have proven challenging for the presenter, who acknowledged the ballroom represents a different beast compared to his usual red-carpet reporting duties and dawn starts in Hollywood.
While King faces elimination pressure, the competition's frontrunners are emerging clearly. Actor Lewis Cope leads as the warm favorite to win at 7/4 odds, with Ellie Goldstein following closely at 7/2. The dynamics shifted recently with Amber Davies's last-minute inclusion after Dani Dyer's injury withdrawal, with the Love Island champion and experienced performer immediately storming into joint fourth position and potentially disrupting the established hierarchy as the season progresses.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.
The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.
Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.
Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.