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William Hill have shortened the price of Ray winning the X Factor from 5/2 to 9/4 as punters start to sniff an upset and back the outsider for X Factor glory, Leona is the 1/3 favourite to win the final show.

"No-one thought that Ray could get this far and it now looks like punters think he can go the whole way," said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

Mark Ramprakash is the even money favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing with Matt Dawson offered at 13/8 and Emma Bunton the 3/1 outsiders.

X Factor Final:
1/3 Leona,
9/4 Ray.

Strictly Come Dancing:
1/1 Mark Ramprakash,
13/8 Matt Dawson,
3/1 Emma Bunton.

18 December 2006
RAY SIGNS SWING DEAL


RUNNER-UP Ray Quinn has been signed by Simon Cowell to release a swing album recorded in the same studio Frank Sinatra used.

He will travel to Los Angeles next month to make the disc.

Ray sang three Sinatra classics in Saturday night's final.

The former Brookside actor, 18, revealed how he idolised the Rat Pack legend in his first audition for X Factor.

Show creator Cowell said yesterday: "I told Ray I was going to sign him. I wasn't going to tell him yet but I had to after he behaved in such a dignified manner.

"His reaction was amazing. After what he did for Leona I didn't want him to go home miserable.

"We're sending him to LA to record a swing album in the same place Frank Sinatra used."

Ray has already signed the deal with Sony BMG and the record is due to be released in March.
Mirror