X-Factor / Jack Houghton / 31 October 2008 /

It'll be murder on the dancefloor for Rachel and Daniel this week, says Jack Houghton in his betting preview of X Factor.

She is...
D... Deluded. She is...
I... Inconsonant. She is...
S... Super Simple. She is...
C... Kinda Creepy. She is...
O-di-ous...

Yes X-Factorites, it's disco week. And that can only mean one thing: another disastrous performance from Rachel Hylton. Admittedly, I got it wrong last week. If there was ever a night she would survive; it was going to be big band night. But now it's time this farce was brought to an end, and disco can deliver the first confidence-sapping blow to her rampaging ego.

If she just came on each week and screamed at us for a bit I wouldn't mind. She'd out-survive the absolute no-hopers for a few shows before her limited talent saw her exit. Instead, she insists on referring to herself as an "artist" who is trying to express something profound. With five kids on the ground you'd think she'd expressed enough, but no, she feels she has more to offer.

Having conducted a random survey of one - me - it turns out the voting public finds her over-inflated ego incredibly annoying, and so she'll be in the bottom two this week. I recommend a 1pt back at [3.7] in the Bottom Two Acts market.

Our affected artiste is lucky though; Daniel Evans remains in the competition. She may be voted into the bottom two, but the mono-ginger is guaranteed to join her and - given the views of the judges - is likely to depart the show in her place. Nonetheless, I don't like predicting judge sensibilities and so will instead be recommending a maximum 4pts back of Daniel at [1.44] in the Bottom Two Acts market. We may disagree on Rachel, but fellow betting.betfair columnist Mike Norman and I couldn't agree more about Daniel: he is woeful and will struggle this week.

With Rachel and Daniel so weak in the 25 and Overs category, it's now time to add to our long-term portfolio. Ruth won't trouble the likely winners, but she's improving each time and will be alluring to enough pervy old men to outlast the rest of Dannii's crew. I recommend a 1pt back at [2.7] in the 25 and Overs market.

But enough of the punting, it's time for this week's X-Factorville breaking news. And what a week it's been. Hot on the heels of my false fatwa allegation last week, the show continues to deliver controversy and drama in equal measure. Laura is allegedly dating someone who "organises" X-Factor studio audiences. Organises? What, like he takes their coats? It's not like she's dating the telephone engineer who works on the show. Nonetheless, some contestants are reportedly furious at the link.

Meanwhile Cheryl Cole - who, according to OK, is due to renew her wedding vows with Ashley (it seems one of them might be struggling to remember what they said two years ago) - has reportedly been offered £1.5m to appear on the show next year. And Dannii has repeatedly refuted a series of "feud" allegations. Cheryl, Simon, Gallagher, Kylie - she has no problems with any of them.

On the contestant front, Daniel has come out in support of last week's evictee, Scott Bruton. Daniel - an arbiter of singing talent if ever there was one - thinks Scott has a big future. Scott, however, has had other things on his mind. He is still reeling from two separate ex-girlfriend "kiss and tell" exposés. Two ex-girlfriends? Really? I would have been a seller at one.

Or perhaps he has been listening to Daniel? My contacts tell me he has consulted a lawyer to see if he can get released from his X-Factor contract early in order to focus on his solo career. Seriously mate, think about it.

Oh, and Leon Jackson has become the first X-Factor winner to release a debut album that didn't reach number one. It was beaten by, amongst others, AC/DC. Yes, they are still alive. Although death wouldn't necessarily preclude them from beating Leon to the top-spot.

This much news in just one week? Incredible I know. And we've still got seven to go.

Recommended:
1pt back of Rachel at [3.7] in Bottom Two Acts market, week four.
4pts back of Daniel at [1.44] in Bottom Two Acts market, week four.
1pt back of Ruth at [2.7] in 25 and Overs market.

Already Recommended:
1pt back of Diana at [9.4] in Winner market.
1pt back of Eoghan at [14.5] in Winner market.
1pt back of Simon at [3.7] in Winning Manager market.
1pt back of Austin at [9.2] in Winner market.

Already Settled:
2pts back of Girlband at [1.65] in Bottom Two Acts market, week two. (WON)
1pt back of Rachel at [2.9] in Bottom Two Acts market, week three. (LOST)

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: