Bookies stop Big Brother bets

A flurry of bets on Spencer being given the boot from Big Brother has led to bookie Ladbrokes suspending bets today on who is next for eviction.

The firm has now placed Alex as its favourite to win the show by being the last person left in the house.

Bookies have been in fear of betting stings in recent weeks after a huge surge in the stakes shortly before each eviction.

Alex Sibley had been favourite for eviction when the nominations were announced on Tuesday, but since then money has poured in for Spencer Smith to be turfed out of the Channel 4 show.

Ladbrokes said there had been "a massive gamble" in the past 24 hours.

The two most recent evictions - for Lee Davey and Alison Hammond - have seen similar scenarios with huge flutters.

Ladbrokes said Alex's intervention in a row between Jade Goody and Adele Roberts and his continued flirting with Adele had won him fans.

Spokesman Sean Boyce said: "Even though Alex was the bookies' favourite for eviction when the nominations were announced, the tables have turned and the public clearly want to keep Alex in the house now. Whoever survives this week will definitely be favourite to win the £70,000."

Alex is now the 11-8 favourite - a huge change from the 50/1 of his first week.

Spencer is now at 3/1 with Jonny Regan at 7/2.