Other / Eliot Pollak / 29 October 2010 /

Eliot Pollak is a little surprised that Bruce Forsyth's ex is amongst the judges deciding the outcome of this year's Miss World; women judging women, who'd have thought that?

According to its website, the Crowne Plaza in Sanya, China is 'the place to meet,' offering a, "1,300-square-meter Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in Yalong Bay as well as an array of leisure facilities, a well-equipped fitness room, kids club, spacious lagoon swimming pools and signature Tea Tree Spa." Now whilst I'm sure the Tea Tree Spa is a fine bit of kit, one suspects that if you're staying there this weekend, the weekend when Miss World 2010 will be taking place in said hotel, a solitary session in the spa would not be your first port of call.

Unless you're a woman perhaps I hear you cry. Well think again. Because Miss World is in fact, judged by women.

Like allowing Douglas Bader to preside over a Butlin's knobbly knees contest, the fact that Miss World is judged by females, is surely not right. To compound the injustice, the lasses in question are all previous holders of the crown, so one suspects the first emotion to slowly creak itself on their botox-crammed faces would be envy rather than admiration. (For the stattos amongst you, the judges include Bond Girls from three films, as well as former squeezes of both Bruce Forsyth and Georgie Best. Nice to see you etc.)

So Saturday will see the final, with host city Sanya (also the location where the Chinese beach volleyball team train if you fancy making a weekend of it) expecting an influx of dignitaries, connoisseurs of the female form, and of course, perverts.

Current favourite is Miss Norway at [2.74], Mariann Birkedal, a reasonable shout given her success in the Miss Top Model fast track event. In 2007 and 2008, the winner of that round went on to win the entire contest, while last year's victor of Top Model, Mexico's Perla Beltran, finished second overall.

However Miss Puerto Rico at [7.8], second favourite, may be the value. She emerged triumphant in the Miss World Beach Beauty, won last year by Miss Gibraltar, who as we all know by now, was Miss World 2009. In 2003, the same pattern emerged, as Miss Ireland dazzled sufficiently in swimwear to nab the overall crown.

The only patriotic bet with a cat-in-hell's chance of coming off is a bit of Miss Northern Ireland (available to back at [14.0]) who threw stones at her national stereotype, by being the best athlete at the event and winning Miss World Sports. Another Irish lass, Miss Ireland, Emma Brit Waldron, won Miss World Talent, which makes her the best at reading poetry. I kid you not.

The home favourite, Miss China, should also not be ignored. Having performed solidly in Top Model and Beach Beauty, she may be worth a squirt at [13.0].

For those who wish to watch the contest (and bet in running), Sky ch281, the Active Channel (I wasn't aware of it either) is your best friend. The fun and frivolity starts at 1pm on Saturday.

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