The odds on Tricia Penrose winning 'Celebrity Big Brother' have been slashed after bookmakers received a string of bets backing the actress.

William Hill has seen several big bets placed on the star who played barmaid Gina Ward in Heartbeat.

tricia

Tricia Penrose on CBB

She is now 2/1 to win - down from 40/1 in less than a week - and is seen as the main rival to 8/13 favourite Rylan Clark.

William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: "Never before have we seen a Big Brother gamble like this.

"Last Wednesday, Tricia was 40/1 to win the show but now, after a sustained gamble, she is the second favourite and our best chance of getting Rylan beaten."

Third favourites to win are US reality show couple Heidi and Spencer who are 10/1, with former Steps star Claire Richards and Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney the 33/1 outsiders.

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