lady_*ice

Taken from Ananova.... (which ones Roxanne?! Anyone got a pic they can post?)

Roxanne is now the clear favourite to win Pop Idol following some heavy betting, report the bookmakers.

Ladbrokes now make Roxanne 4/1 favourite to win the show while former favourite Brian has drifted out from 4/1 to 8/1.

In this week's wildcard heat, Sam Nixon from Barnsley is 2/5 red-hot favourite to qualify. Close behind are Susanne and Keiran, both at 2/1.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "Roxanne has been well supported over the weekend. She may be the youngest of the contestants but she's the most highly rated by punters.

"Simon Cowell said that he could sell a millions of albums with Brian but the Irishman is now in a chasing pack at 8/1 that includes Leon, Michelle, Kirsty, Chris and Saturday's qualifier Mark.

"We have little doubt that the public will vote Sam through as a wildcard and think that the judges choice will be quirky Susanne."

But he added: "If both wildcards were voted through by the public we would see Susanne as an outsider to qualify."


Story filed: 12:27 Monday 13th October 2003