STRICTLY’S professional dancers are already at odds — because they all want to be paired with the same two celebrities.
After early training sessions, the ladies are all keen on partnering soap star Bobby Brazier, 20.
And the lads are squabbling over former Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26.
A source said: “Bobby and Zara are absolutely the favourites.
“All the dancers want to be paired with them because they both have serious potential on the dance floor.
“There’s a battle going on between the pros as they all try to convince bosses to get the best pairing.
“They know their airtime is largely dependent on how talented their celebrity pairing is, so everything is to play for at this stage.”
Emmerdale star Adam Thomas is also a favourite.
Zara found fame on the ITV2 dating show, but now presents documentaries for BBC Three.
Bobby is the son of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody and has made a name for himself as Freddie Slater on EastEnders.
Strictly’s early training begins with group routines, so bosses can test out different pairings and spot any sparks of chemistry.
The group met earlier this month to get started and the dancers began to make their hopes clear.
But one male dancer was not aiming to be partnered with Zara — last year’s finalist Gorka Marquez, 32.
For him, partnering ex-Corrie actress Ellie Leach, 22, would mean he could stay near his fiancee Gemma and their new baby in Manchester.
And it is not just the young celebrities who have caught the pros’ eyes.
Our source added: “Les Dennis raised a few eyebrows. He won’t be the joke act at all. He’s serious.
“And Angela Rippon surprised everyone with how swift she was across the dance floor.”
Strictly Come Dancing starts next month on BBC1.
Pairings will be revealed in coming weeks.