Ananova:

American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson is the bookies' favourite to win the festive season's World Idol special ahead of Will Young.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "It is very hard for bookmakers to call but Kelly is already a worldwide star and that has to count in her favour.

"Will Young has had a storming finish to 2003 and winning this competition would be the icing on the cake.

"The voting system means that it is very hard to call but Simon Cowell's presence as the US judge on the panel does bode well for Will."

Kelly is quoted at 7-4 to win, ahead of Will (2-1), Australian entry Guy Sebastian (4-1) and Norway's Kurt Nilsen (6-1). Diana Karazon, from Lebanon, is the rank outsider at 50-1.

Staged in London in two parts on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, World Idol will be shown in countries around the world.