Our tabloid friends might find this pretty hard to believe (and stomach) but Michael Barrymore is the favourite to win Celebrity Big Brother. According to Betfair, Barrymore is 7-2 to win, followed by Preston and Maggot (who are members of popular beat combos, I understand, m'lud) at 11-2. Fourth favourite after just half a day in the house is the "nobody", Chantelle, who this morning has been parading in a variety of pinks (pink polka dot dress followed by pink towel).
Former FA secretary Faria Alam and former Baywatch babe Traci Bingham are the longest odds to win. Bingham, Alam and hair-dying basketball playing Denis Rodman are the favourites for early eviction.
Last year, a mind-changing piece by Vicky Coren in the Observer, argued that , far from being "lowest common denominator television", celebrity/reality shows are actually the highest form of morality in modern British society. To venture into ancient history (in reality TV terms), I quote her talking about last January's I'm A Celebrity:
"Germaine Greer believes that the British public 'so enjoyed the anguish and humiliation of Natalie Appleton in I'm a Celebrity that they voted for her to undergo bushtucker trials five times'. But no. We voted for her to do five trials because she was unprecedentedly bitchy, whiny, unpleasant and insincere. Meanwhile, Paul Burrell, whom we initially assumed would be odious, was only given one trial because he turned out to be a brick. He proved decent and funny, he contributed selflessly to the group (read: society) and we voted to keep him safe."
Now the red-tops believe that the Great British public have never forgiven Barrymore for the Stuart Lubbock pool-death incident. We will shortly find out.
George Galloway also has been turned into a media hate figure, and his CBB appearance has already sparked new attacks on his right to be an MP. He was, however, elected by the voters of East London and now Channel 4 viewers have a similar opportunity to let us know what people really think.
We are interested to hear what you think of it, but we will get an even clearer view when the votes start coming in.
