Christine wrote:
Rachel is bound to have loads of supporters, because I would think that all of Wales will be behind her and also the DS forum members and as Grace Dent is rooting for her on BBLB, that will also help to sway a lot of their viewers votes, so Rachel could actually win with a huge majority, especially as she has been a bit more vocal since being HOH.
I think Rachel will have supporters amongst 'ordinary' viewers who feel the girl deserves credit for behaving with dignity in the face of adversity.
There was a time when I would have thought that yes, coming from Wales, or Scotland, or Ireland would guarantee a lot of votes from those areas, but nowadays, most people don't watch BB, so I'm not there's any advantage in being 'regional' anymore. Avid viewers pick their own favourites, based on how the HMs have behaved.
As regards Grace Dent - and other columnists. I think this works in the same way as posts on forums. I doubt if many voters have ever been swayed by reading forum posts. I believe we form our own conclusions, and then gravitate towards people who share our views. I've enjoyed reading Grace's columns over the years, and this year I'm pleased that she is not fond of Rex. But if she was - if she was saying 'Rex is bringing life and interest to the show, so I think he deserves to win', there's no way I'd change my opinion.
By the way, I think there's more to Rachel, than just the fact that she's had to endure an onslaught from Rex, and others. If that's all there was to her, sure, I'd feel sorry for her, but I wouldn't necessarily want to see her emerge as winner. A kind of winner by default.
If there was no Rex in the house, I'd still be pleased if Rachel won, because she's maintained good humour throughout her stay in the house. Sometimes she's got upset, but has mostly hidden that from the other HMs. She has been a good sport in the tasks, but most importantly - she has been kind and pleasant to the other HMs.
It would be no harm, in my opinion, if a person who was pleasant, kind, and lacking in hysterics won.