Mark caught by slip
15/12/06
CRICKET hunk Mark Ramprakash could be bowled out of Strictly Come Dancing after confessing he cheated on his wife Vandana.
Bookies think female fans will punish the ex-England batsman, 37, for his fling with Sadia Saleem, 27, before the BBC telly contest began.
At Ladbrokes, where he was once odds-on favourite to win, he is now 9-4 second favourite to be voted off the show tomorrow.
Spokesman Nick Weinberg said: “The reports in the papers have not helped Ramps.
“He is on the drift and there is every chance he will be left stumped by the public vote. The type of people who vote will not be too impressed with what he has been up to.”
A show source agreed, saying: “All the talk is about Mark – backstage and among fans. And it is not good.
“He could pay the price for cheating on his wife and be waltzing off the show.”
Mark has said: “I am distraught at the grief I caused my wife and family whom I love very much.”
But Vandana, 36, is devastated after hearing news of his fling. The couple, who live in Harrow, north London, first fell for each other at a chance meeting 18 years ago.
They married in 1993 and have two daughters, nine-year-old Cara and Anya, four.
Mark’s shame has boosted the chances of rival celeb Emma Bunton winning the telly contest.
Nick said: “She has been in the bottom two before and survived. It would not be a big surprise if she managed to do it again.”
Rugby star Matt Dawson, 34, could also benefit from the bust-up. He is 6-4 at Ladbrokes to win. dailystar