It’s X Factor final time!

chickendinner picks out some of its favourite novelty bets

It’s the X Factor final tomorrow and if you’re not too enamoured by any of the finalists then there are plenty of fun novelty bets you can make to ensure you enjoy your Saturday evening in front of the telly. Here are some of our favourites:

» First person to cry during the final: Alexandra (2/1), anyone in JLS (9/4), Cheryl (5/2), Eoghan (6/1), Louis (8/1), Dannii (10/1), Simon (40/1) and Dermot (50/1) with Paddy Power

» Eoghan to break down in tears mid-song - 8/1 with Paddy Power

» All four judges not to be seen giving a standing ovation at least once - 16/1 with Sky Bet

» Eoghan to sing Puppy Love in the final - 33/1 with Paddy Power

» A finalist to accidentally fall over on stage - 33/1 with Sky Bet

chickendinner bonus - Watch Harry Hill’s X Factor style big build-up video for Louis Walsh after the jump:

Posted: December 12th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Eoghan Quigg still 7/2 to win the X Factor

888sport underestimate the power of the Irish vote

In a moment of brilliant television, Eoghan reacted to the elimination of his alleged girlfriend Diana by crying on stage then interrupting her final song in floods of tears, to further endear himself to the voting public.

The 16-year-old Irishman is still 7/2 with 888sport even though he has never been voted in the bottom two. Alexandra has emerged as favourite at a best-priced 8/13 with Boylesports and is the best singer but it remains uncertain that she can attract voters in the same way that Eoghan appears to.

chickendinner bonus: Watch Harry Hill’s impression of Eoghan’s “please vote for me” face after the jump.

Posted: December 9th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Will Diana be punished by Laura’s fans on the X Factor?

17-year-old favourite accused of cheating to avoid last week’s show

Everyone from culture secretary Andy Burnham to Lily Allen has been busy voicing their disgust at Laura White’s ejection from the X Factor last Saturday.

The controversy deepened today when favourite Diana Vickers, who was granted a bye last week after being diagnosed with laryngitis, was forced to release a statement defending herself after footage of her shouting at an Bonfire Night party was aired on spin-off show the Xtra Factor.

Laura’s fans argue that it was convenient for Diana to miss the show because it was thought that her voice wouldn’t favour performing a Mariah Carey song, with Allen blogging that “out of respect to Laura I think Diana Vickers should have to sing a Mariah Carey song next week.”

Posted: November 13th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 3 Comments

Will X Factor Rachel’s fallout with Dannii backfire on her?

Singer reacts to failure by blaming her mentor

Over the last few days it has been reported that X Factor contestant Rachel Hylton tried to dump her mentor Dannii Minogue after she found herself in the bottom-two of the public vote last weekend.

The ex-jailbird has since denied the reports but expressed discontent with the way she was being managed by saying: “All I want is a little more control over my performance and styling, which she is allowing me to have.”

While Minogue’s popularity was expected to take a hit with the arrival of Cheryl Cole, her acts continue to flourish: having mentored both Leon Jackson and Rhydian Roberts to the final two last year, all three of her contestants are still standing while Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh have lost two each.

Posted: November 6th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments