Britain's Got Talent 2011: Funny acts can sneak a place

Britain's Got Talent / Mike Norman / 04 June 2011 / 1

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Mr Bean-like BGT contestant Steven Hall

"Les Gibson will need to introduce some new characters this evening however and include them in an equally funny routine, but if he does that he easily has the potential to finish in the top three."

Whilst Mike Norman agrees that the right acts have made the Britain's Got Talent live final, tonight he'll be cheering on the less-serious ones to a podium finish.

It's been a strange old week for yours truly; a minor accident resulting in a broken rib so the last thing I need tonight is a barrel of laughs. There's a small chance I won't be laughing too much - if at all - during tonight's live final of Britain's Got Talent, but hopefully that won't be the case, pain or no pain.

I know it has been down to the British public to vote for their favourite acts during the last week, and even though I can't argue with how the voting has gone, I'm still left a bit disappointed that tonight we will see nine of the 10 acts in a music related or dance capacity. Only impressionist Les Gibson will not be singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. I'm not sure what that tells us given that BGT is meant to be one of the biggest variety entertainment competitions in the world!

Twelve-year-old singer Ronan Parke is the hot [1.96] favourite to triumph tonight, but as I predicted on Tuesday his odds did drift back out during the week (he went out to around [2.3] after being matched at a low of [1.6] immediately after Monday night's show).

Parke is very much the likely winner tonight, not least because he does have a tremendous talent and will catch the imagination of the British public. But there are two factors going against Parke, the first being the 'Susan Boyle scenario' where people don't pick up their phone and vote for him believing that he is 'home and hosed'. The second factor is the rumour that Simon Cowell has met Parke previously, and has primed him to win the competition. Cowell strenuously denied the rumour during last night's show but in some voters' eyes (not mine may I add) there's no smoke without fire and they might just cast their vote elsewhere.

If you are wanting to take on Parke tonight then perhaps the act to take him on with is Jai McDowall ([7.2]). I wasn't convinced at all by New Bounce ([6.2]) during their audition and they failed to win me over during their semi-final performance, whilst I can't for the life of me see why Michael Gollings ([22.0]) received rave reviews last night - I thought he was ok but that's all.

But McDowall is an extremely talented operatic-style singer with a very powerful voice and a passionate heart. Although he's suffered from nerves in the past I believe he will be fine tonight and that he more than the kids will be note perfect. It's just a hunch, but he is my tentative selection in the Winner market.

Of the others Razy Gogonea ([12.0]) - an extremely talented dancer - is becoming a bit boring to watch, whilst James Hobley ([85.0]), Jean Martyn ([90.0]) and Paul Gbegbaje ([130.0]) are very good at what they do, but won't be good enough on the night.

That just leaves Gibson ([20.0]) and Steven Hall ([200.0]), and these two are going to be my wagers in the Top 3 market.

Gibson was fantastic in his semi-final and was on the money with almost all of his impressions (I wasn't convinced by his Gordon Ramsey impression). He will need to introduce some new characters this evening however and include them in an equally funny routine, but if he does that he easily has the potential to finish in the top three.

Hall meanwhile is just hilarious, and he's the one act that might do my ribs even more damage if he's as funny as he has been so far. He is Mr Bean-like without a doubt, but when he does his dancing his timing has split second precision, making him incredibly entertaining to watch. On a night when 'serious' singers and dancers will hope to take centre stage, I'm hoping that a few less-than-serious acts will steal the show.

The Top 3 market hasn't fully materialised at the time of writing, but I'm fully expecting to get matched at around [4.0] (Gibson) and in excess of [16.0] (Hall) as the day goes on. Enjoy the night.

Recommended Bets

Back Jai McDowall @ [7.2] in Winner market
Back Les Gibson and Steven Hall in Top 3 market

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sheila | 04 June 2011

All the reasons I needed for opposing ronan and all the reasons I needed for backing the winner thank u very much will follow this site more often