Strictly’s Jacqui Smith given huge boost after being 'favourite to leave competition'
She is also a giant step ahead of fellow politician Ann Widdecombe on the dancefloor according to Strictly Come Dancing Pro Anton du Beke, who has backed her to survive this weekend
Jacqui Smith has been given a lift ahead of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing - she's been told she is nowhere near as bad as previous politicians on the dancefloor.
Although she looked like she loved the show's big opener, the judges said her performance left a lot to be desired.
Bookies are predicting that Jacqui will be the first star given the boot this weekend after she wound up bottom of the leaderboard with just 13 points.
But the struggling former Home Secretary has been handed a boost as she gets ready to put on her dancing shoes again.
Her professional partner Anton du Beke has claimed she's miles better than she is a stronger than much-mocked politician Ed Balls, who lasted nine weeks in the competition in 2016.
Anton Du Beke has backed Jacqui Smith - despite what the bookies say(Image: BBC)
Although it probably goes without saying, Jacqui is also leaps ahead of Ann Widdecombe, according to Anton.
Jacqui's odds are as short as 4/7 to be the first to go but her dance partner has some words of encouragment.
Anton told The Sun : “On a scale of Ann Widdecombe to Ed Balls, she’s Ginger Rogers compared to those two! She’s an absolute beauty.”
Jacqui said: “I’m not going to be rude to either of my former parliamentary colleagues who both did splendidly.
She isn't as bad as Ann Widdecombe....(Image: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
...or Ed Balls for that matter
"But I suppose what I have learned from them is, go for it. And hopefully I will add, with the help of Anton, just a smidgen of finesse.”
They have a fight on after coming bottom of the first leaderboard.
Just ahead of them are Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer, while sitting pretty at the top are HRVY with Janette Manrara, and Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez in second.
But they face a race to stay in the game this weekend(Image: BBC)
But Jacqui's not giving up easily, putting in the hours to give it her best shot - and hopefully avoid axing.
"There has been quite a lot of bouncing," she told today's Good Morning Britain, "My knees are suffering and my feet are in agony.
"I'm getting through the plasters like a rate of knots, but I'm really enjoying this dance.
"All I need to do - all I need to do - is give it some welly and hopefully make sure everyone enjoys it as much as I am."
