X-Factor / Jack Houghton / 16 October 2010 /

N-Dubz enter bullying controversy, boys square up and mums stick up for their daughters - Jack Houghton provides the latest X Factor lowdown...

For two years they've clashed over the X-Factor. In 2008, Mike Norman prevailed. In 2009, Jack Houghton made it honours even. Norman's claims of foul-play last year sparked a brawl at the betting.betfair Christmas party. To avoid a repeat performance, the editors have decided to formalise things this year. Each armed with a £1,000 and their We-Love-You-Simon badges, Mike Norman and Jack Houghton go head-to-head - tipping their way to a Christmas number one."

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"That girl is serious gangster and has some sick swagger." So said an alliterative young gentleman about X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd. The gentleman in question is called Dappy. He performs in an act called N-Dubz; along with fellow band-members Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy and Sleepy.

As references go, being likened to a diseased Al Capone doesn't seem the most glowing of endorsements. But it's a topsy-turvy world we live in. Look at the evidence: seventh-dwarf Dappy has previously admitted bullying a complete stranger; he comes out in public support of Cher, who has herself been accused of bullying, or being bullied, depending on which tabloid you take; and yet Dappy's support has been universally reported as a positive for not-sure-if-she's-a-bully-Lloyd. As Grumpy might say: dat is seriously sick, bro.

In what will be "musical heroes" week on the X Factor, Dappy and Cher aren't the only ones riding the supportive-charabanc. Reacting to an attack by Kym Marsh, Kimberley Walsh has stuck-up for Cheryl Cole. (It's okay; I don't know who most of these people are either, although I'm fairly sure Kimberley Walsh must be Louis's wife).

And after reported backstage tantrums over what costumes she would wear, and a raft of attackers branding her, variously, a "sex-tease", a "prima-donna" and a "total nob" (okay, that last one was mine), Katie Waissel's mum has come out in defence of her daughter. Now nothing bolsters the self-esteem of a 24-year-old quite as much as having mumsy-wumsy telling the readers of The Sun to leave her daughter alone.

In other X Factor news, John has reportedly squared-up to fellow finalist Wagner. Apparently, Wagner has been going round the house spraying deodorant. John felt this an attempt by Wagner to damage his vocal chords. So, John faced up to him and security had to be called to calm the situation. Here's the thing. John is a midget-ex-care-worker (in that he is short; I'm not aware that he ever cared for little people). Wagner, on the other hand, is an ex-martial-art-instructing behemoth who reportedly used to own a pet lion and might already be dating fellow finalist Mary Byrne. Seriously John, think about it - even if you survive Wagner and the lion, Mary's gonna get ya.

To the betting. Although outside-pick FYD suffered by being first to perform last week, my other outright selections all performed well and, even after week one, it's hard to see another act seriously challenging Matt [5.4] and Aiden [6.6]. On that basis I'm having another £50 on each.

It's likely wise not to get too heavily involved in the elimination markets for a couple of weeks. With so many acts for viewers to sift, I imagine voter-turnout will be low, leading to a few surprises. On that basis then, I'm keeping stakes small and having £10 each on Katie Waissel [6.6] and Cher Lloyd [60.0] to be booted out first this week.

Betting bank running total = £790

This week's recommendations:
£50 Back Matt Cardle at [5.4] in Outright Market.
£50 Back Aiden Grimshaw at [6.6] in Outright Market.
£10 Back Katie Waissel at [6.6] in Third Elimination Market.
£10 Back Cher Lloyd at [60.0] in Third Elimination Market.

Previous recommendations:
£70 Back Matt Cardle at [5.1] in Outright Market - Open.
£70 Back Aiden Grimshaw at [11.0] in Outright Market - Open.
£20 Back Belle Amie at [30.0] in Outright Market - Open.
£20 Back FYD at [34.0] in Outright Market - Lost.
£30 Back Cheryl Cole at [7.0] in First Mentor Eliminated Market - Open.

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