AJ Pritchard thinks Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice will win Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Strictly professional is backing the EastEnders actress and her dance partner Giovanni to take the crown this year on the BBC One show, as he confessed their dances have had an "impact on him emotionally and physically".
AJ - who starred on Strictly for four years and was partnered with the likes of Saffron Barker and Mollie King - thinks it would "take a hell of a lot" for John Whaite and Johannes Radebe or AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington to take the top spot.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror in conjunction with William Hill, AJ said: "I would put my bet on Rose and Giovanni to win right now. I think it would take a hell of a lot for AJ or John to knock her off the top of the leaderboard, as in an emotional moment."
He confessed the moment where they danced in silence was very powerful for him and he can't wait to see them recreate it if they make it to the final - which he is sure they will.
"Doing that moment again in the final, when they have to choose a dance to re-do, I feel like wow - hard one to beat," he added.
"It left such an impact on me emotionally and physically. I was still. I was in awe of it and it's done so much for so many people that are deaf and connect with her on a different level.
"That one moment of silence has changed people's perception of what being deaf actually is."
AJ also admitted he was "missing" the show but he feels he has a new found appreciation for the moments from it now he is no longer competing on the programme alongside a celebrity partner.
He said: "I definitely miss the energy of the whole production - the hair, the make up. But I'm really happy because it's really nice to watch the show and appreciate it - like Rose and Giovanni's moment.
"When we were in the show and people would talk about moments that captivated you, you were like oh my god I'm in the show, I don't really appreciate it."
He continued: "When you take a step back and see it from the outside, you're like woah I know what they mean now - that moment will be etched in my brain for life. I did four years of Strictly and I wouldn't change it for the world."
*AJ Pritchard was speaking to The Mirror in conjunction with William Hill.
