IPSWICH'S Big Brother contestant Darnell Swallow is the darling of the reality TV world today after being installed as the new favourite to win the contest.
Neil Puffett
IPSWICH'S Big Brother contestant Darnell Swallow is the darling of the reality TV world today after being installed as the new favourite to win the contest.
The albino songwriter, who hails from Ipswich but currently lives in London, is the current bookies' bet to win this ninth season.
People placing money on the outcome of the show are increasingly turning to Darnell as the competition progresses, experts say.
He has moved ahead of previous favourite -Thai massage therapist Katreya Kasisopa - in the popularity stakes according to Ladbrokes.
Nick Weinberg, Ladbrokes spokesman, said: “Darnell is the man of the moment and the money keeps coming in for him.
"Punters' patience finally snapped following Kat's crocodile tears.”
The news represents a huge turnaround for Darnell who was kicked out of the US after he was convicted of drugs offences.
Last month his mum Bernadette Mathis told how she was terrified that a forced return to England would be too much for him to handle and she feared he may kill himself.
She said he was originally arrested for possession of marijuana in North Dakota but got into trouble again when he failed to complete a 200-hour community sentence after moving to Minneapolis.
She also spoke of Darnell's fighting spirit - a character trait she believes will help him in the house - which she said he has had throughout his life.
She told how he spent the first few months of his life in Ipswich Hospital after being born premature.
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