Simon Hopper

Simon has been obsessed with reality TV ever since the heady days of Pop Idol, Popstars and Fame Academy. Back then, acts who entered actually had a chance of making a music career: look at the likes of Will Young, Girls Aloud and, of course, the brilliant but ultimately ill-fated Michelle McManus.

Since then, Simon has been betting and tipping on all of the televisual behemoths of the last decade: X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing, IACGMOOH, Dancing On Ice, Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother and even the scandalously under-rated Popstar to Operastar.

A firm believer that trends are the answer to everything, Simon’s betting principles have led to some stunning highs and gut-wrenching lows over the years. High: backing Joe McElderry to win the 2009 X Factor at 13.0 before the live shows. Low: Little Mix winning the 2011 X Factor after tipping them to be eliminated in weeks one and two, as well as laying them before the final (if JLS couldn’t win, what other group could possibly do it?).

Simon’s other passion is football – his two loves are Manchester United and Stevenage FC. You can find many of his statistical musings on his Twitter account, @hopperfootball.

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