Frankie Cocozza: booted off X Factor
Paddy Power has eased the suffering of beleaguered Frankie Cocozza backers by refunding losing outright bets placed on the 18-year old hell-raiser after he was spectacularly booted off the show earlier today.
In excess of £10,000 has been handed back to over 1,200 Paddy Power customers who, somewhat optimistically, bet on wild child Frankie winning this year’s X- Factor.
Paddy Power said “Frankie punters didn’t get much of a run for their money so we’re only too happy to have a decent excuse to give their money back.”
According to The Sun, Frankie is thought to have infuriated X Factor bosses at the weekend by staying out partying all night.
Frankie’s behaviour is also being probed by TV regulator Ofcom after he yelled “F****** have it!” after getting through on October 23 — swearing before the 9pm watershed.
This afternoon Frankie issued a statement apologising to mentor Gary Barlow and all the fans who voted to keep him in the show.
He admitted things had got “out of control” and confessed to breaking competition rules.
He said: “I’d like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me, but, as of today, I will no longer be in The X Factor.
“My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has over-stepped the rules of the competition. I no longer deserve my place in the show, so I am therefore leaving.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me.”
Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins remain the bookies 9/4 favourite ahead of silky-voiced Janet Devlin at 3/1 and Craig Colton at 7/2.
2011 X-Factor (latest)
9/4 Marcus Collins
3/1 Janet Devlin
7/2 Craig Colton
5/1 Misha B
6/1 Little Mix
25/1 Kitty Brucknell
All prices remain subject to fluctuation.
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From: Would you pay for ITV?