The normally bubbly McFadden has been tearful in the jungle

She is odds-on with bookmakers to become the first "queen of the jungle" after contestant John Lydon's exit.

More than 11 million viewers tuned in on Thursday night to see former punk singer Lydon leave the rainforest camp.

Aristocrat Lord Brocket had emerged as favourite until he began complaining about fellow competitor Jennie Bond.

"This could prove to be his downfall," said a spokesman for Ladbrokes bookmakers after Lord Brocket described former BBC royal correspondent Bond as "arrogant" and "dogmatic".

Lydon had been favourite to win the contest

Ladbrokes said viewers were attracted to McFadden - wife of Westlife star Bryan McFadden - because "she appears to be a normal down-to-earth girl".

She has been tearful during her stay in the Australian jungle, and has at times appeared to be on the verge of quitting.

Lydon told the show's presenters, Ant and Dec, he hoped she would emerge the winner.

"I'd like her to do it for her kids. She's a tough little cookie underneath all that. I think it would be great for her - she deserves it. She's a real person," he said.

Lydon said he had quit the show because he thought he was going to win the game.

The other contestants were shocked to see Neil Ruddock go

He said he wanted to give the others a chance and he did not "want to turn into Des O'Connor" by taking the "king of the jungle" crown.

"Let's face it, I won this thing on the first day," he told Ant and Dec.

His fellow contestants were not impressed and said he had walked because he feared being voted out.

Jordan said she thought Lydon secretly feared being evicted after seeing friend Neil "Razor" Ruddock voted off on Wednesday.

But Lydon, 47, told the cameras: "I can't see the point of staying with silly daft performances of Opportunity Knockout.

"It's important for the remainders, they're in it for the game. I'm beginning to be an irritant to them because I'm not here for that and I know they are all suspecting that I'm gonna run off with it and I didn't mean that to be the case."