... we will miss you. Or will we? While some have been busy this week asking who killed Big Brother?, the reality TV series that everyone loves (to hate?) has proven it is bullet-proof when it comes to the ratings war. And tonight, the winner will be revealed. For the last time this year, I ask you: who's it going to be? Or do you really no longer care?
The punters certainly do. William Hill is reporting that bets on BB have smashed all previous reality TV betting records, reaching an estimated £6m. And it's a three-horse race, with Pete - surprise, surprise - the clear favourite at 1/3, Aisleyne showing quite a strong challenge at 4/1 and Glyn making a late break for it at 9/2.
After 13 weeks - the longest-ever run of Big Brother - you've got to admire the remaining contestants' staying power. And your own. Personally, that was the worst thing about this year's BB. It's just too much damn commitment, every night of the week, for three months. It's like being in a relationship with your television set - and a particularly demanding television set, at that. I needed space. But distance did not make my heart grow fonder.
Many of the twists became a headache and the tasks began to show a real lack of imagination. This led to a throbbing boredom about half way through, with the "new" housemates in the house next door proving a leap of faith too far. I couldn't sum up the emotional energy needed to invest in getting to know them. I still can't. Which is why Jennie gets my vote for least favourite housemate (closely followed by the incredibly, almost impressively, dull Susie. Someone put £28,000 on her being evicted at 1/2, so I'm not the only one...)
But there were lots of things that made it almost worth the wait. Watching the housemates evolve from their audition tape stereotypes to, well, real and rounded people. There were classic one-liners (mostly delivered by Nikki), funny moments (mostly delivered by Glyn) and moving moments (the letters from home).
But the housemate I want to win? Ah yes, it's gotta be Pete. Witty, perceptive, heart-warming, and as genuine as anyone can seem to be in that place - he was a real find. I hope he wins. I hope the money makes him - or his mum - happy.
But could Aisleyne or Glyn snatch it out from under him? As that oh too familiar saying goes, you decide ...
