Strictly Joe is shock fave

Joe seen 10 times more than rivals

YOUTUBE blogger Joe Sugg seems destined to win the Glitterball trophy thanks to legions of online fans.

His first live dance pulled in more than 760,000 views when the BBC uploaded the performances to social media.

The clips of film-maker Joe and dance partner Dianne Buswell in action had registered almost 10 times more than any of his competitors last night.

A telly source said: “Joe is being viewed so much more online than anyone else.

“Clips on the internet do a lot to help promote the show nowadays, and this is a good litmus test to show how popular each star is in their online presence.

“If even a smattering of these viewers on the net turn into voters on the show, he could go all the way.”

When Joe was announced as a 2018 participant, he was one of the celebrities accused of being “unknown” after their unveiling.

But he has 8.2million subscribers to his YouTube web video channel ThatcherJoe and insiders believe that if “this translates to votes on the show the others have no chance”.

And after his amazing dancing with Dianne on the weekend’s first live show, fans are clamouring for more from the internet sensation.

One fan wrote: “Joe is definitely the front-runner now.” Another said: “I wasn’t expecting him to be THAT good!”

His signing was seen as an attempt by Beeb bosses to attract a younger audience to a show which has traditionally been seen as a housewives’ favourite.

Parents up and down the country have been reporting internet-savvy kids tuning in with them to watch Joe.

Even judge Craig Revel Horwood admitted he was “surprised” by the series’ second youngest celeb dancer.

The 27-year-old still has a little way to go, scoring 27 out of 40 for his jive with Aussie pro Dianne – trailing Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and Steps star Faye Tozer, who lead with 32.

In a tweet, Joe said the support he had received “has been unreal”.