X-Factor / Jack Houghton / 07 November 2009 / Leave a comment

Some would say that betting on the X-Factor is like bad medicine. Not if you follow Jack Houghton's advice...

"Back Lucie in the Girls’ market for two points at [2.10]. She is a better singer than Stacey and, at this stage, looks the only realistic danger in the overall competition to Olly and Joe."

Watching the last instalment of X Factor made me feel all Wonder Years. What would Kevin make of the strange twists and turns that have brought me to this moment?

As a 16-year-old, rushing out of a GCSE French exam to help my sister jump-start her Lada Samara, before shooting down to Wembley to watch an already ageing Bon Jovi; and then, two decades later, watching the same band on a primetime Saturday night talent show, fully nipped and tucked. What life-lesson lies therein Kevin? I'm not sure. All I know is I was a bit worried when Dermott high-fived Richie Sambora. I thought Richie's face might fall off with the vibrations.

Devil's child - and show creative director - Brian Friedman has been at it again, saying he feels he is "entering the gates of hell" whenever John and Edward sing. It's a sensation you should get used to Brian. The Big Man likes his talent shows kept simple. Dancing troupes of dwarfs careering around the stage on motorbikes; pursued by latex-clad, back-flipping, muscle-men smothered in baby-oil; isn't what He expects. So keep on going: those gates await.

In other Twins' news, one report claims: "The 18-year-old brothers have only ever had one girlfriend between them." Does that mean they shared one girl? Or that one of them has had a girlfriend and not the other? Either way, I imagine the girlies might be more interested now: especially after their upcoming performance of Ghostbusters which will, apparently, see them chasing a ghostly Cowbell figure around the stage. Can't wait.

Political debate around X Factor has intensified. Gordon Brown loves the show, but isn't a fan of the Twins. David Cameron reckons: "You only need to watch a few minutes and suddenly 40 minutes later; you're still nailed to your chair, waiting for the terrible twins to appear." Is that the X Factor you're on about Dave? Or a place in Chelsea you visited on Max Mosley's recommendation? Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Madam Fu Ying, has said she loves the show. Good-oh.

Tangerine-Gate - exclusively reported here last week - begins a new chapter. Lucie, reeling from the nose injury inflicted by Joe, has been out for revenge. Stacey picks up the story: "This week me and Lucie decided to prank Olly but Olly was in a bad mood. We went downstairs with a bottle of water and the plan was that Lucie would open his pants and I would pour the water..."

I wasn't sure where the story was going either, or, in fact, how you go about opening someone's pants, but the upshot is that some chasing occurred; a can of deodorant was deposited on the landing; and tangerine-wielding Joe - up to now uninvolved in the incident - tripped on it and broke a rib. Would you Adam and Eve it?

Pete Waterman - the doyen of 80's musique-pop and one-time Pop Idol judge - has attacked X Factor for not being a talent contest, but a "freak and geek" show. This from the man who appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and, asked to prepare two main-course dishes, produced a steak (dish one) and mashed potatoes (dish two). I'm not sure you're in any position to be judging talent Pete.

This week our starlets perform songs from the movies. Adding to - and likely completing - our incredibly strong looking portfolio of bets, it's time to back Lucie in the Girls' market for two points at [2.10]. She is a better singer than Stacey and, at this stage, looks the only realistic danger in the overall competition to Olly and Joe.

In the Week Five eviction markets, Danyl, Jamie and early-pick Lloyd look most likely to be leaving; but none of the prices are tempting me to get involved.

I'm off to listen to Bon Jovi and ask my wife to try opening my pants. If only I were wearing any.

This week's recommendations:

2 pts Back Lucie at [2.10] in Girls market.

Already Recommended:

4 pts LAY Danyl at [2.02] in Top 3 market.
1 pt BACK Dannii at [2.48] in Winning Judge market.
1 pt BACK Cheryl at [8.0] in Winning Judge market.
1 pt BACK Joseph at [12.0] in Winner market.
1 pt BACK Lloyd at [25.0] in Winner market.
1 pt BACK Olly at [3.4] in Over 25s market.
1 pt BACK Olly at [8.2] in Winner market.

Already Settled (+0.4 pts):

2 pts BACK Rachel at [2.7] in Bottom Two market - Week Two - WON.
3 pts BACK Rachel at [1.76] in Bottom Two market - Week Three - LOST.

Tags: Bon Jovi, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Jack houghton, Specials betting odds, X Factor betting odds, X Factor betting tips, X-Factor betting