Big Brother Betting: Feizal's Thoughts - New contestants, new lease of life for the house

Big Brother 11 / Feizal Rahman / 07 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

It's been an eventful week in the house, not less because it's been a case of one out, three in through the front door. Here's what Feizal has made of it all.

It was much a case of the calm after the storm this week and there was only mild surprise as Jennifer and Rex were announced as being up for the chop after nominations. The Tyneside temptress had a sense of foreboding and elected to keep her counsel while the peanut-headed Rex feigned apprehension, in the knowledge that he was safe for another week. By Friday night, Jen was sub-[1.1] to go and the percentage vote market suggested it would be by a 9-to-1 margin. In the end, the single mum walked out to a chorus of boos with an overwhelming 89.7 percent, the third highest in Big Brother history. Desperate Dale was left looking like a little lost puppy and the last thing he wanted, was to have his period of mourning cut short by new arrivals.

No sooner had the group seen the back of Jen, than they were greeting not one, but three fresh female faces. First in was Aussie PA, Sara. A self-proclaimed Angelina Jolie lookalike who actually resembles more of a Liv Tyler, 27-year-old Sara - [48.0] to win - revealed she is looking for a relationship and will now surely take over Jen's mantle as the Big Brother queen bee. Though with her alleged wild-child, party-girl reputation, there could be a few feathers ruffled along the way and possibly even a broken heart or two.

Hardly giving the congregation time to absorb Sara, in cat-walked professional model Maysoon. Bringing a much-needed touch of class to the house, the sultry Syrian has the look of a predator about her and one can infer that it's merely a matter of time before the claws are sharpened and cold-heartedly plunged into an unassuming victim. Exotic in name and appearance, first impressions suggest that Maysoon doesn't have the profile of a Big Brother winner and cannot be expected to go much shorter that her current price [70.0] to win.

Without doubt saving the best until last, the third new entrant was Belinda. Floating into the house dressed as a fairy, the theatre director from Devon is exactly the sort of nutter we want to see on Big Brother. Clearly a few bolts short of a Meccano set, the unhinged eccentric is going to have an huge impact on the house in one way or another. If we thought kooky Kat was from another planet, this flamboyant luvvie is from a completely different universe. Although another unlikely to stay the distance at [40.0], Belinda will certainly provide for plentiful entertainment, in a house that is truly lacking in real characters.

The original housemates reacted, expectedly, in contrasting ways to the newcomers. Dale and Stuart - still reeling from the loss of Jen - were cool in their response, probably contemplating how best to play the game from here on. With their clique now defunct, the pair must seek out new alliances to prolong their stay. Yet, this could be a blessing in disguise for Dale. His very existence in the house was defined by his relationship with Jen but now that is dead, he has the opportunity to re-define himself as an individual.

Unlikely to offend anyone enough to provoke nomination, and with guaranteed female support in a public vote anyway, Dale will have staying power. Despite the falsely short prices of Kat and Darnell ([3.5] and [3.8] respectively), there is no obvious winner as there was two years ago with Pete. Currently around [40.0], Dale represents the value - providing he doesn't mope around pining for Jen, who has already washed her hands of him according to the tabloids.

The big winner of the week, however, is undoubtedly Rex. Never in any danger of being evicted, Little Lord Fauntleroy has pondered a walkout in light of no-one else being on his 'level' but will be rejuvenated by the influx of the two young females. Right up his street in terms of social status, by luring Sara and Maysoon onside, Rex can solidify his position as the alpha-male of the house and secure himself an extended stay. Down to [18.0] from [28.0], he is now a very strong contender to win indeed.

Elsewhere, wiry Luke continues to amuse with his Lancastrian wit in the diary room and despite his persistent tittle-tattle, is back down to [9.0] to win from [17.0]. Much of his mischief involves Rebecca, who has unfortunately done much to jeopardise her future with her recent petulant and puerile behaviour. The distant relative of George from Rainbow was immediately put in as the favourite to be the fourth evictee and trades at around [2.0], with Mario surprisingly just behind at [4.6], followed by Luke at [8.0], Rex at [11.5] and Mohamed ([12.5]). As Luke himself so insightfully suggested, the game begins now.

Quote of the week: "If you analyse the situation, there's nothing really here for the lads... If three girls were to walk in now, things would change." - Mystical Mario gets one up on Nostradamus as his prophecy is fulfilled only 24 hours later.