All boy X-Factor lineup after Brenda sent home
An all-boy line-up will spend this week preparing for the final of the X-Factor, with bookies backing Shayne as the favourite to win the contest.
The former shop worker is tipped to scoop the title with bookmakers placing boy duo Journey South in second place and binman Andy Abraham pushed into third.
Busty Brenda was the latest wannabe pop star to be kicked off the show on Saturday, leaving the stage set for the all-boy final.
The gutsy 36-year-old singer dissolved into tears after being told she was going home.
More than three million people voted for the contestants in the ITV1 show and at one point there were only 24 votes between two of the acts.
But Brenda’s performances of Respect and Can’t Live if Living is Without You were not enough to secure a place in the final.
Speaking after her defeat, she said: “I am feeling on top of the world, I really am.
“I had a great time, I wouldn’t change a thing – I am going to continue losing some more weight.
“I had an amazing experience and I just hope it is not over for Brenda just yet.”
Her mentor, Sharon Osbourne, also burst into tears and was unable to say anything about losing her protege.
Bookies Coral are offering odds of 2/1 on 20-year-old Shayne being crowned the X-Factor winner and claiming the record contract, with totesport giving punters odds of 8/13.
William Hill also have Shayne pegged as the favourite offering odds of 4/5 but say they believe Journey South could steal the title from the Mancunian on the night.
A spokesman for the bookmakers said: “Shayne has been the favourite for about seven or eight weeks now.
“On paper he’s the obvious choice, but I think he’s drifted a little recently and I believe that by Saturday, Journey South will be just out in front.
“Journey South coud very well come from nowhere and pinch it right at the last minute.”
A spokesman for Coral, Simon Clare, also did not rule out a last minute upset.
He said: “Shayne has got the right look and can certainly sing. He looks like what the smart money is backing, but there have been upsets before.
“Will Young beat Gareth Gates into second place in 2002 when Gareth was odds on favourite win. It’s not over till it’s over.”
