TV jungle show prompts chance of betting record
Bookmakers are predicting the biggest weekend of betting on reality TV triggered by tomorrow’s launch of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!
William Hill says the start of the jungle show coupled with Saturday night favourites X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing mean more money will be wagered today and tomorrow than at any time since television betting started.
The bookmaker’s spokesman Rupert Adams said: “We have seen an unprecedented amount wagered already and are expecting over £5m (€7.3m) to be punted this weekend.”
He said they were having to draft in extra staff to cope with the expected demand tomorrow night.
Former EastEnder Sid Owen is favourite to be crowned King of the Jungle at 3-1 but Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson has had his odds cut from 6-1 to 4-1 following strong support for the permanently tanned antiques expert.
Margaret Thatcher’s daughter Carol, wine expert Jilly Goolden and another former EastEnder, Elaine Lordon, have got the longest odds at 14-1.
Meanwhile Shayne Ward is the favourite to win ITV’s other reality show X Factor while Zoe Ball is the bookies’ pick to win BBC 1’s Strictly Come Dancing.
William Hill’s odds for winner of I’m a Celebrity in full are: Sid Owen 3-1, David Dickinson 6-1, Sheree Murphy 13-2, Antony Costa 8-1, Kimberley Davies 9-1, Jimmy Osmond 9-1, Jenny Frost 12-1, Jilly Goolden 14-1, Elaine Lordon 14-1 and Carol Thatcher 14-1.
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