The Northamptonshire vicar and former popstar vicar had an early exit in this year’s competition, crashing out after just three dances with partner Dianne Buswell.

However he has maintained a keen interest in the programme and was “gutted” that his church duties stopped him from participating in the programme’s live tour.

Speaking about why he made the bet, he said: “I’ve always thought Alexandra (Burke) should be favourite but I’ve put money on Joe.

“I love Joe, he’s a lovely guy and he’s just brilliant. He gets better and better… I actually put 50 quid on Joe but I can’t remember the odds.”

McFadden has been labelled a dark horse of the competition by head judge Shirley Ballas and topped the leader board two weeks ago.

Rev Coles added he would also like to see Debbie McGee win as to have an older woman win it would be “terrific”.

The Parish Priest of St Mary’s Church, Finedon, Northamptonshire, is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number one hit single with pop band The Communards in the 1980s.

He has recently released a Christmas album full of his favourite festive tunes.

Explaining why he decided to release the album, he said: “I wanted to put together a Christmas album that went back to the stable in Bethlehem and…

Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Lewes and Gloucester who boasted of links to royalty, has asked to join the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton, in Bristol, a spokesman for the Church confirmed.

His identical twin brother, the former bishop of Truro Michael Ball, also sent an email – seen by Press Association – to friends telling them of the idea.

Peter Ball, now 85, was jailed for 32 months in October 2015 for offences dating back to the 1970s against 18 young men at his home in East Sussex.

The email sent on Wednesday morning said the pair would not be sending Christmas cards after recent events had “totally wearied and reduced” them.

In it, Michael Ball said: “Peter and Michael will not be sending Christmas Cards this year.

“The events of the last years and rightly or wrongly the battering by the Church have totally wearied and reduced us.

“We will proabably [sic] be joining the Roman Catholic Church soon.

“We love The Church of England but would like to end our days in a church where we can live and worship in anonymity and without constant fear.

“We send our love and are enormously grateful fo [sic] the kindness and continued support of so many.

“We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a joyful New Year.”

The message was mistakenly sent to a BBC journalist and subsequently shown to Peter Saunders, the child abuse campaigner who founded support charity NAPAC.

Speaking to Press Association on Wednesday…

Middletown Borough Council in the US state of Pennsylvania approved Mark Hovan’s penalty, following a recommendation by local police chief George Mouchette.

Mr Hovan told the local Press & Journal news website: “I never lied about it”.

The patrol officer was summoned to a meeting with Mr Mouchette on 7th November in a letter which made four accusations of ‘neglect of duty’ and ‘inefficiency’ against him.

Mr Hovan told the Press & Journal said he had been going to church during shifts throughout his 19-year service at Middletown Police Department in order to mark six Catholic holy days.

A devout Catholic, Mr Hovan previously received a warning after he attended Mass on 8th January 2017.

It is unclear whether the patrol officer will be paid during his suspension period, a punishment which was borough councillors passed by four votes to one – plus one abstention.

In an earlier interview with the Press & Journal, Mr Movan claimed his constitutional right to practise freedom of religion had been “infringed upon” and that the police department had made “no accommodation” for his religious beliefs.