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'Celebrity Big Brother' Final Odds Predict Courtney Act Will Win Over Ann Widdecombe

It's going to be a close one.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

Courtney Act will pip Ann Widdecombe to the post to win ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, according to bookies.

Friday’s (2 February) final looks set to be a close-run contest between the Australian drag star and the former Tory MP, but the latest odds suggest that it’s Courtney who will emerge from the house triumphant.

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Courtney Act
PA Wire/PA Images

She is currently pegged at 1/2 with bookmakers William Hill, while Ann is close behind at 2/1.

Remaining finalists Wayne Sleep, Shane Lynch and Jess Impiazzi are “simply out of it”, according to William Hill spokesperson Rupert Adams. 

“Ann has been a revelation, if she wins then it will be one of the biggest surprises in two decades of reality TV,” he said. “But the odds suggest she will fall short and Courtney is the probable winner.”

During her time in the house, Ann has caused controversy for airing “homophobic” views on more than one occasion, as well as misgendering trans housemate India Willoughby. 

Courtney (also known as Shane Jenek) has challenged her multiple times, although she faced criticism for doing so from fellow housemates Amanda Barrie and Wayne Sleep, who claimed Ann was entitled to her opinions, despite identifying as LGBT+ themselves.

Former housemate Andrew Brady has also claimed a win for Ann would “go against equality and diversity”.

He told The Sun: “The emphasis of this show is about women, and celebrating women’s rights a hundred years ago. 

“The views that people expressed a hundred years ago that stop women have the vote before that, are the same views Ann has today about homosexuality.”

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Ann Widdecombe
Rex/Shutterstock

Meanwhile, Ann has claimed she was surprised to have made the final due to what she called her “unfashionable views”.

She said in the Diary Room: “Well I think it’s rather surprising when I consider that I’m a pensioner and a defender of the unborn, and traditional marriage, and the Roman Catholic church, all of which are unfashionable views. And that I am the scourge of political correctness and general snowflakery and emotional incontinence, I think it’s rather surprising that I’m still here.

“I’m sure nobody was expecting me to get to the final. Everybody thinks I’m a miserable old bat.”

We’re saying nothing. 

The ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ final airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. 

'Celebrity Big Brother' Winners
Jack Dee(01 of19)
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Jack Dee won the first ever series of 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2001. His experience lasted a total of just eight days, but even that was clearly too much for the comedian, who memorably tried to tunnel his way out of the house.
Mark Owen(02 of19)
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In one of the most overlooked series of 'CBB', Take That singer triumphed over Melinda Messenger and Les Dennis to be crowned the winner, after a total of ten days in the house back in 2003. (credit:Andy Butterton/PA Archive)
Bez(03 of19)
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Series three was when 'Celebrity Big Brother' really came into its own, thanks to housemates like John McCririck, Jackie Stallone and Bez. This series in 2005 lasted 18 days. (credit:Bruno Vincent via Getty Images)
Chantelle Houghton(04 of19)
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In a twist for series four, Chantelle became the first non-celebrity to enter the 'CBB' house, eventually emerging as the winner after 23 days in 2006, making this the first series to last for over three weeks. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Shilpa Shetty(05 of19)
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One of the most shocking and controversial series of 'Big Brother' or 'Celebrity Big Brother' ever ended with Shilpa Shetty voted the winner by the British public in 2007.Shilpa had a difficult time in the house, after failing to get along with housemates Danielle Lloyd, Jo O'Meara and Jade Goody, who some viewers felt were unfairly ganging up on the Bollywood star.The series lasted 26 days, which was then the longest 'CBB' ever. Following the worldwide controversy provoked by the series, 'CBB' took a year out the next year. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Ulrika Jonsson(06 of19)
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Although 'Austin Powers' actor Verne Troyer had been named the favourite to win throughout the series, Ulrika was crowned the winner after 22 days in the house back in 2009.She later returned to the house for 'Ultimate Big Brother'. (credit:Zak Hussein/PA Archive)
Alex Reid(07 of19)
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Beating his then-girlfriend Katie Price's ex Dane Bowers to the title of 'CBB' winner in 2010, Alex was triumphant in the last series of 'Celebrity Big Brother' to air on Channel 4.He later had a baby with fellow winner Chantelle Houghton, following his split from Katie. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Paddy Doherty(08 of19)
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Channel 5's first roll of the 'Celebrity Big Brother' dice in August 2011 saw 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' star Paddy Doherty voted the public's favourite over Kerry Katona and Jedward (what an honour). (credit:Nat Jag via Getty Images)
Denise Welch(09 of19)
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Denise's time in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house back in January 2012 wasn't an easy one, largely thanks to her arguments with Nicola McLean, Karissa and Kristina Shannon and Michael Masden. She also famously enjoyed some near-naked time in the 'CBB' hot-tub with 'X Factor' contestant Frankie Cocozza, which drew criticism from some viewers... not to mention her housemates. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Julian Clary(10 of19)
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In the summer of 2012, Julian won over viewers with his quick wit, pleasant demeanour... and the fact he managed to stay out of trouble, something his fellow 'CBB' housemates could have done with learning how to do themselves. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
Rylan Clark(11 of19)
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Rylan's stint in the 'CBB' house came in January 2013, almost immediately after he left 'The X Factor'. He became so popular with the public following his appearance on the show that he was later offered a job hosting spin-off series, 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Charlotte Crosby(12 of19)
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She arrived. She punched a cake. She wet the bed. And she won in summer 2013. Well done, British public. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Jim Davidson(13 of19)
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And speaking of "well done, British public", somehow controversial comic Jim Davidson managed to turn around his public image, and beat Dappy, Luisa Zissman and Ollie Locke in the 'CBB' final in January 2014. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Gary Busey(14 of19)
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Gary was the first ever American winner of 'CBB' in the summer of 2014, much to the chagrin of his housemates. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Katie Price(15 of19)
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Katie Price entered the house after the first batch of housemates in January 2015, and went on to nab the 'CBB' crown. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
James Hill(16 of19)
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Proving there's something to be said for keeping your cool, James won it for Great Britain during 2015's 'UK vs USA' showdown. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Scotty T(17 of19)
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Proving 'CBB' viewers really do love people from Newcastle, Scotty T became the second 'Geordie Shore' star to win the show in January 2016. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Stephen Bear(18 of19)
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We still don't know how he pulled it off, but Bear won over viewers to be named his series' champion in summer 2016. (credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
Coleen Nolan(19 of19)
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She entered an 'All Star' and left a winner in January 2017. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
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