Big Brother betting on a winner

As series six of Big Brother got under way last night, odds were already being offered on which housemate is most likely to walk away with this year's

09:33 28 May 2005

As series six of Big Brother got under way last night, odds were already being offered on which housemate is most likely to walk away with this year's 100,000 prize.

Cheeky engineer Maxwell Ward, 24, is the early favourite to win the show according to Paddy Power, Big Brother's official betting partner. The firm is offering odds of 4/1 that the lad's lad will win the latest series of the reality TV show.

The North London Arsenal fan was quick to make his mark in the house, making a pass at fellow contestant Sam Heuston, 23 within seconds of meeting her.

Sam, a bisexual marketing student from Surrey, who claims she will be "serious competition" to her housemates, follows closely behind with odds of 5/1, along with 23-year-old promotions girl, Saskia Howard-Clark.

Confrontational Norfolk crimper Craig Coates, 20 is currently the 20/1 outsider, but "unlucky" 13th contestant Makosi Musambasi could soon become the most unpopular housemate after being given a surprise task by Big Brother last night.

The Zimbabwean-born nurse automatically put herself up for eviction by being first into the diary room and will be up for eviction unless she receives the highest number of nominations by annoying her housemates.

"Your secret mission is to get the most nominations from your housemates," Big Brother told her.

The first nominations of the 11-week show will take place on Tuesday, with results announced during a live show on Wednesday.

A Channel 4 poll ahead of last night's launch named 2001 winner Brian Dowling as the favourite Big Brother contestant among viewers.