The television phenomenon that is Big Brother has returned for an eighth series but the added twist this time around is that on opening night only females entered the house.
With a run of around three months, there are always plenty of betting opportunities to be had on the usual mix of tedious fame seekers, would be “glamour” models and downright nutters as the numbers dwindle each week.
Here are my initial thoughts and early bookmaker’s odds for this years batch of housemates.
Laura Williams (23)
Laura comes from not too far away from BetBonus.co.uk headquarters and it’s nice to have somebody “normal” representing Wales for a change, rather than thick blondes (Helen), former beauty queens with a like for “home movies” (Imogen) and inbred (possibly) yokels from the North (Glyn). Laura appears to be one of the few “genuine” housemates this year which is a welcome relief from the usual wannabe slag WAGs and famous-for-five-minutes lads mag fodder. Well, looking at the state of her she is unlikely to go into that line of work…
Bookies Favourite 6.5 (Betfred) £25 in Free Bets!
Carole Vincent (53)
Carole is an unemployed “former sexual health worker” and likes nothing better than a good demonstration, riot or argument. She is unlikely to take any nonsense from the younger housemates after plenty of experience working with wayward, promiscuous youths and her willingness to tackle tasks with enthusiasm will win her plenty of fans.
11.0 (Betfred) £25 in Free Bets!)
Tracey Barnard (36)
Tracey looks like she has been “larging it” since the late eighties given the amount of gurning since her arrival in the house. A huge fan of outdoor raves, she has began to resemble Worzel Gummidge following almost endless weekends “aving it” in fields. Producers must have seen her as a female version of Bez, the popular winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2005, but she has thusfar failed to integrate with other members of the group.
15.0 (Sporting Odds) £100 in Free Bets!
Nicky Maxwell (27)
Nicky is supposed to be “gobby and argumentative” and has threated to release her “inner bitch” if anybody ignores her. However, all I have seen her do so far is smoke and it has been too early to form an opinion on her either way.
17.0 (Extrabet) £25 in Free Bets!
Sam & Amanda Merchant (18)
The first set of twins to enter the Big Brother House and possibly the worst housemates to have ever set foot inside. At 18 years old, they look and indeed act, about 12. Constantly giggling, shrieking, singing awful songs about themselves and bouncing on any piece of furniture they come into contact with, everything about them is simply awful. Get them out.
either at 21.0 (Bet365) £100 in Free Bets!
Chanelle Hayes (19)
Anyone whose first words on entering the house are “f*ck me up the bum” has to be admired. I’d be perfectly happy to oblige the fame seeking Victoria Beckham “lookalike” but she hasn’t given me the opportunity to form an opinion on her longevity in the house just yet.
21.0 (Coral) £10 in Free Bets!
Emily Parr (19)
Pretty, posh and rich, Emily is prime to be the “Grace” hate figure of this series. She has a string of acting credits to her name and a casting website claims she is prepared to pose nude for “professional purposes”. Expect an “alternative” film career for the Peaches Geldof lookalike when she leaves the house.
21.0 (Extrabet) £25 in Free Bets!
Lesley Brain (60)
The oldest contestant to enter the house, Lesley looks like a fish out of water. While fellow oldie Carole will embrace tasks and challenges with aplomb, the retired head-hunter may find life in the house too much to bear.
34.0 (Sporting Odds) £100 in Free Bets!
Shabnam Paryani (22)
Shabnam will battle it out with fellow contestant Charley to see who can pose and pout in front of the mirror the most. Loves herself and believes she is too special to hold down a monotonous job. This kind of attitude will see her prime for eviction if the audience get a chance.
34.0 (Paddy Power) £25 in Free Bets!
Charley Uchea (21)
The only person more vile in the house than the twins is Charley. The cousin of Manchester United’s Kieron Richardson has been piggybacking off his fame by visiting celebrity haunts and desperately trying to become a WAG. The unemployed former lap dancer admitted to only being on the show for the fame and was greeted by a chorus of boos from the audience upon entering the house. Will be voted out the first chance the public gets.
Rank Outsider 51.0 (Bet365) £100 in Free Bets!
Plus as an additional free bet offer, if your housemate finishes second, Paddy Power will refund your losing single stake on that selection, providing you place your bet before Friday 15 June.
