Today's
Bettingzone Market Moves:
1300: Simon Cowell couldn't hide his pleasure on Saturday night when he was told that he would be managing the under 25's section of the 2006 X-Factor competition.
The straight-talking judge made no secret of his desire to manage the youngsters and
Blue Square quickly moved to make him odds on at 10/11 from 6/4 to end the series as the manager of the final winner.
On the basis of what we have seen to date, Louis Walsh looks to have a tough with the Groups and is the outsider of the three at 5/2 while Sharon Osbourne seemed happy enough with the 'oldies' and trades at 9/4.
Blue Square spokesperson Kate Miller said: "X Factor continues to be one of the most popular reality TV shows and betting interest will build and build through the autumn as punters get to grips with the acts that have made it through from the initial round of auditions.
"From what I have seen personally, Simon Cowell has two or three truly talented youngsters in his group and I would be surprised if he doesn't end up as the winning manager this time around."
However punters beware that on next Saturday's show there is a scene where Cowell suggests he may well have drawn the short straw after all.
Bettingzone suggests the viewers watch out for 26-year-old Ben, who sang a Sam Cooke number brilliantly in one of the audition shows.
The Michael Bolton look-a-like will be in Sharon's category and could well help his mentor win her first X-Factor.