TV Specials Betting

BBC Sports personality of the Year betting, X Factor betting and Strictly Come Dancing betting – the one thing all these TV show contests have in common is the unpredictability of the public vote. Through the years, online betting fans have perhaps become overly influenced by the betting odds and presumed that the bookies favourite was usually a dead cert to win. But just look at the last few weeks – hot faves, Laura and Diana have been turfed off the X Factor, Rebecca Adlington has unseated front-runner, Lewis Hamilton on the BBC Sports Personality Stakes and now Austin Healey, the judge’s red hot darling from day one on Strictly, has been given his marching orders.

Perhaps it’s time to abandon the presumption that online betting punters are at all reflective of the TV public vote, especially when there are four or five contestants left and the people’s love for each and every one of them throws the whole thing into the air leaving it to the whim of the moment on the night to decide matters. Remember that Rhydian was 1/6 favourite to win X Factor only to be trashed by Leon Jackson at 5/1. The Twins, at 1/5, were a given on Big Brother but Brian took the money at 10/3.

So – fellow TV punters – first put on your public hat and apply your knowledge of the stuff that floats the boat of the British hearts and minds. When I do that I come up with Rebecca Adlington, Eoghan Quigg and Lisa Snowdon. Then put on your own hat and make a decision for yourself. I stuck mine on and after lots of beard stroking, head scratching and with furrowed brow, I came up with Rebecca Adlington, Eoghan Quigg and Lisa Snowdon. Give it a go – at least you’ll only have yourself to blame!