The house wins: Big Brother betting to hit €22m

BOOKIES are predicting a record £15 million (€22m) betting frenzy on Big Brother 8.

The Channel 4 reality show kicks off tonight. The first Big Brother took just £1m in wagers.

Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: “Big Brother 1 was a step into the unknown. Contestants, viewers and punters really didn’t know what to expect.

“In the early days we only offered win and eviction markets. But it’s now possible to bet on a large number of specials, even before anyone has set foot inside the famous house.

“Big Brother is now a firm fixture in the betting calendar and by far the biggest reality TV show ever to appear on our screens.”

Ladbrokes are offering odds of 10/1 that disgraced Celebrity Big Brother contestant Jade Goody will enter the house.

The bookmaker is also offering 50/1 that the scandal-hit show will be taken off air before the end of the series.

Earlier there was good news for Big Brother fans that the cost of eviction votes was being slashed.

The price cut is to encourage “the highest possible number” of viewers to take part, according to Channel 4’s managing director of new media Andy Taylor.