Tracey to win BB8?

Before the start of the latest instalment of Big Brother, I was thinking that, surely, things can't get anymore ridiculous. However, lo and behold, those behind the programme, Endemol and Channel 4, have once again conspired to produce a calamitous reality show which is probably about as far removed from most viewers' reality as is humanly possible. Firstly, racism is unacceptable, hook, line and sinker. But, one wonders, would Emily have been shipped out after using a certain word had the regrettable Shilpa Shetty situation not occurred during the latest z-list celeb version of the show? Of course not - she was used as a scapegoat by producers desperate to atone for their poor handling of the aforementioned saga. But any stunts that can be pulled off need to be, for viewing figures don't augur well. Indeed, on Wednesday June 6, ratings-wise it was comprehensively eclipsed by the babbling Bill Oddie and Kate Humble, of BBC2's Springwatch. A high of 300,000 viewers tuned into that nature offering compared to just 90,000 watching BB on E4 on the said date. Fair enough, BBC2 is a terrestrial channel whereas E4 is only available on digital, satellite and cable, but you'd imagine that the bigwigs behind BB are, nevertheless, hatching some further stunts to ruffle some feathers and, consequently, boost those all-important ratings. Don't know about you, but I'm worried? what will the creative bigwigs conjure up next? But back to the important issue, that is to unearth the winner, or in this case formulating a short-list comprising of the two most likely winners. The recommended bets are Tracey, available at a best-priced 61/10 with Bet Chronicle, and Chanelle, who is available at 10/1 with Ladbrokes. There's no particular science involved here, but then again nor is it guesswork. The pink-haired Tony Adams look-a-like, Tracey Barnard is, to put it mildly, something of an eccentric. And we all know that BB viewers like a quirky character. The self-proclaimed raver, whom, we are reliably informed, is all woman, hails from Newmarket, is the son of a farmer and worked as a cleaner before entering the house. She's 37 and hasn't worn make-up since she was 21. Chanelle, on the other hand, is a real 'laydee' who wouldn't go down to the local newsagents unless bearing war paint. That said she's a naturally pretty lass who, by her own admission, is obsessed with Victoria Beckham. But the 19-year-old, who hails from Yorkshire, is more likeable than Posh and the high level of mostly positive tabloid attention she's received since entering the house can't have done her any harm. Providing Chanelle doesn't get drawn into any catfights, then she should be there towards the end of the show. But, if pressed to nominate the likely winner out of the two selections, it'd have to be Tracey. The British public likes an underdog and Tracey hasn't been dealt as good a hand in terms of aesthetics as most of her fellow female housemates, but that'll only make her all the more endearing to spectators. Ziggy's probably the most likely of the guys to go the distance at this stage, although Gerry has been well supported since making a rather bizarre entrance. I don't think, however, he'll be in it for the long haul, while original favourite Laura is starting to slide down the pecking order, a descent that will probably gather momentum as the show progresses. But you couldn't rule out Sam with confidence. Well, all that's left to say is enjoy, or at least tolerate the rest of the run. However, when all the tantrums have been thrown, all the red-top newspapers' column inches filled and the dust finally settles, it'll be either Chanelle or Tracey left standing. Verdict:2pts Tracey @ 61/10 (Bet Chronicle)1pt Chanelle @ 10/1 (Ladbrokes)