Big Brother's Alex Reid 'hot favourite'

Katie Price's cage fighting boyfriend Alex Reid has emerged as the bookies' favourite to win Celebrity Big Brother.

Reid, who entered the house to "change people's perceptions" may have succeeded in doing so after evictee Ivana Trump said Vinnie Jones, the previous favourite, had "alienated" the house with his bossiness.

Millionaire socialite Trump said that Alex's honesty had earned him a place in the nation's hearts.

"I like Alex - he's down-to-earth, has a very good heart and we were friends because I appreciated his dedication to exercise. Dane (Bowers) is a nice guy," she said.

William Hill said Alex was now "red hot 8/15 favourite" to win, with the remaining four contestants, singer Bowers at 7/2, Jones at 9/2, Swedish dance music star Jonas Altberg, aka Basshunter, at 12/1 and actress Stephanie Beacham at 25/1.

Reid was an unlikely favourite to win the last ever Celebrity Big Brother after entering the house to a chorus of boos from the crowd.

However, he has successfully rehabilitated his public profile over the past few weeks, gaining acceptance from his fellow housemates who declared him to be the "most surprising" housemate in this year's competition.

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