NOVELTY BETTING: Bookies are once again counting the cost of another reality TV hammering, after presenter Chris Hollins became the latest winner, by lifting the Strictly Come Dancing prize.
Bookies are once again counting the cost of another reality TV hammering, after presenter Chris Hollins became the latest winner, by lifting the Strictly Come Dancing prize.
The BBC breakfast presenter was backed at all rates in the latter few weeks of the show, from 40-1, into the 1-5 favourite when the voting closed on the final night, and Coral bookmakers reckon the win cost them well into five figures, and adding that to the gambles of Ginos Jungle win, Joe for X-Factor, and the worst of all, Ryan Giggs for Sports Personality, 2009 has been the worst year ever, with bookies loses estimated at well over £2m.
When Strictly turned into a popularity contest rather than a dancing one, Chris was always going to win, and coming on the back of Gino, Joe and Giggs wins, punters will certainly have plenty of spending money for Christmas, its been the worst week of the year for us! said Coral spokesman Gary Burton
