Strictly Come Dancing week 5 leaderboard: Who is top of the leaderboard?

Following Nick Knowles' dramatic exit from Strictly Come Dancing, the competition intensified with celebrities ardently trying to sidestep the infamous dance-off. Presently, Wynne Evans, Paul Merson and Dr Punam Krishan are tipped as likely candidates for elimination.

Initially pruced at 20/1 odds by bookies, opera star Wynne's chances have been slashed to a mere 9/2 by BetMGM, positioning him as the third favourite to bid adieu to the dance floor on Sunday.

With Paul leading the betting race at 10/11 to leave and Punam close behind at 13/4 after securing the bottom spot on last weeks leaderboard, the tension is palpable.

BetMGM UK Director Sam Behar remarked: "Paul Merson might be the favourite to leave Strictly this weekend but Wynne Evans certainly isn't without a chance of leaving. He looked a lively outsider a couple of weeks ago in the outright betting but the news this week certainly hasn't helped his chances and he's been very well-backed to exit on Sunday night."

As another exhilarating week wraps up, let's recap this week's performances and where they place on the leaderboard...

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe

Montell and Johannes performed a Couple's Choice to Skeleton Move by KG, Zanda Zakuza this week.

Craig - 9; Motsi - 10; Shirley - 10; Anton - 10

Total: 39/40

Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez

After falling to the bottom of the leaderboard last week, Punam took on the Viennese Waltz to She's Always A Woman To Me by Billy Joel.

Craig - 4; Motsi - 6; Shirley - 5; Anton - 6

Total - 21/40

Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin

Sports presenter Sam tackled the Quickstep to Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

Craig - 6; Motsi - 7; Shirley - 6; Anton - 7

Total: 26/40

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola

Miranda star Sarah and her professional partner took on the Samba to Do It Do It Again by Rafaella Carrà

Craig - 8; Motsi - 8; Shirley - 8; Anton - 8

Total - 32/40

Tasha Ghouri and Alja Škorjanec

After receiving excellent feedback last week, Tasha returned to perform the Tango to Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine.

Craig - 8; Motsi - 9; Shirley - 8; Anton - 9

Total 34/40

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Currently the favourites to win, this week Chris and Dianne performed the Waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Craig - 8; Motsi - 9; Shirley - 9; Anton - 9

Total: 35/40

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas

EastEnders star Jamie and his partner Michelle tackled the Paso Doble to Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona.

Craig - 9; Motsi - 10; Shirley - 10; Anton - 10

Total: 39/40

JB Gill and Amy Dowden

Upping the pace this week, JB and Amy took on the Jive to Hey Ya! by Outkast.

Craig - 7; Motsi - 8; Shirley - 7; Anton - 8

Total: 30/40

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer

They impressed the judges last week and now Paul and Karen have tackled the Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce. Sadly, viewers think Paul is being made into the joke act over this song choice.

Craig - 3; Motsi - 5; Shirley - 5; Anton - 6

Total: 19/40

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal

Fans claimed Pete was 'cursed' after learning he and Jowita would be dancing the Rumba to Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis.

Craig - 4; Motsi - 5; Shirley - 6; Anton - 7

Total: 22/40

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu

He was in the dance off last week but Shayne and Nancy are hoping their American Smooth to Get Here by Sam Smith has impressed voters.

Craig - 7; Motsi - 8; Shirley - 8; Craig - 8

Total: 31/40

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

One of the favourites to face the dance-off, Wynne and Katya took on the Quickstep to Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra.

Craig - 7; Motsi - 9; Shirley - 9; Anton - 8

Total: 33/40

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer