Mumba favourite to replace Louis on X Factor

Bookmaker Paddy Power have made Samantha Mumba and dirty little red heads Podge and Rodge their joint favourites at 6/1 to replace Louis Walsh as the third judge on the X Factor.

Louis Walsh will continue to manage the winning acts after the show but will no longer appear on the panel to judge performances alongside pal Sharon Osbourne and 'Mr Nasty' Simon Cowell.

Other personalities who could be in the running to replace the Irishman include American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, Stephen Gately at 12/1, Popstars judge Pete Waterman at 16/1 and Sharon Osbourne's close friend Victoria Beckham at 50/1.

"Sam is our number one because she's already good friends with Louis and she's looking to revive her pop career," said Sharon McHugh from Paddy Power. "As for Podge and Rodge, if anybody could handle Simon's sharp tongue it's those Ballydung twins!"

Odds:

6/1 - Samantha Mumba, Podge & Rodge

8/1 - Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson

9/1 - LuLu

12/1 - Stephen Gately

10/1 - Myleene Klass, Sunita

14/1 - Neil Fox

20/1 - Cliff Richard

20/1 - Nigel Lythgoe

16/1 - Nikki Chapman

16/1 - Pete Waterman

20/1 - Kylie

33/1 - Charlotte Church

33/1 - Kerry Katona, Brian McFadden, Britney Spears

40/1 - Michelle McManus

50/1 - Jasmine Lennard

50/1 - Victoria Beckham

500/1 - Simon Fuller, Rebecca Loos.