Will Cameron Stout be �70,000 richer on Friday?

Fish trader Cameron Stout is the overwelming favourite to win this year's series of the Channel 4 reality TV show Big Brother on Friday.

The 32-year-old from the Orkney Islands had his odds cut from an already strong 1/2 to 1/6 by bookmakers Ladbrokes on Wednesday.

But his odds were improved further when the bookmakers changed them to 1/12.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "Cameron is the hottest Big Brother favourite ever.

"Even Brian Dowling was not as strong a favourite as Cameron is at this stage."

Cameron's popularity has surged despite some controversial comments in the Big Brother house during the past few days, which have included his views on smacking children and homosexuality.

But the church-going Scot is now leading the way, with marketing co-ordinator Scott Turner, 27, from Liverpool, second favourite at 8/1.

I'm definitely of the opinion that couples should be husband and wife, not two husbands or two wives Cameron Stout

IT administrator Ray Shah and merchandiser Steph Coldicutt have odds of 14/1 and 33/1 respectively.

Remaining housemate Jon Tickle cannot win because he has already been evicted once.

It is not yet known what process will be used to pick the ultimate winner or how the remaining housemates will be leaving, but the victor will be announced on 25 July.

I think the threat of a smack is a successful deterrent to being naughty Cameron Stout

The show, which has been running for eight weeks, has attracted about 4.5 million viewers each night, with more tuning in for the live eviction nights.

The fourth series of the reality TV show has been dubbed boring by some critics.

Channel 4 has tried various tactics to spice up proceedings, including a temporary swap between Cameron and a Big Brother contestant from South Africa and allowing Jon back into the house.

This week Big Brother has asked contestants to answer questions in the diary room on topics including asylum seekers and monarchy in an apparent bid to whip up some controversy.

Student Nush Nowak was the ninth person to be voted out when she went on Friday.