Ananova:

Michelle McManus is the 8/13 odds-on favourite to win Saturday's Pop Idol final with Mark Rhodes not very far behind at 6/5.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush has admitted the firm got it wrong about both Michelle and Mark, assuming both would be voted out well before the final.

He added: "The money is coming in for Mark, it's going to be too close to call. Bookies have written him off almost every week but we are not going to make the same mistake again.

"There is little doubt that we are cheering on Mark as a win for Michelle will result in a six figure payout for the industry."

Mark had been a 50/1 outsider early in the competition, while bookies have previously dismissed Michelle as a 33/1 shot.