10 million viewers tuned into ITV1 last Saturday to watch the start of the fourth series of Britain’s Got Talent. Many of us will be relieved to see the likes of Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden return to our screens after such a prolonged absence, but those who find the talent show tedious (how can you?) could spice things up by having a cheeky wager on a contestant.

Viewers who tuned in last weekend would have seen the Glasgow and Birmingham auditions, but given the shape of the betting market, it is very unlikely that we saw the eventual winner. The winner will be crowned on 5 June, which means that there is still plenty of water to pass under the bridge.

Tobias Mead heads the BGT betting at the moment, and is the 10/1 favourite with betting firms 888 Sport and Blue Square. Tobias had wanted to pursue a footballing career, but seems to have found his niche in breakdancing. Before he appeared on BGT, he appeared on Living TV’s reality show ‘Dirty Dancing The Time Of Your Life’, so he will be accustomed to the pressures of TV and being in the public eye.

Simon and Amanda were both hugely impressed with his routine, but to put his performance in perspective, Susan Boyle (SuBo) was installed as a hot 2/1 favourite after her breathtaking BGT debut. Tobias will probably give you a good run for your money if you take the 10/1, but bear in mind that a dance act won the show last year. Is that a positive or a negative for his chances?

Tina and Chandi are next in the betting, and have been supported into odds of 12/1 with Skybet. Chandi is neither a singer nor a dancer – she is a rescue dog. The duo have appeared on several talent shows before, and won a £10,000 prize after winning a 2007 heat of BBC1′s When Will I Be Famous? They certainly have pedigree – they have also won prizes at Crufts. I don’t see that as a negative, as it may mean that viewers who are familiar with the act will wants to give them votes.

The drummer Kieran Gaffney is rated as a 14/1 chance, and 16/1 young signer Chloe Hickinbottom also made an impressive debut.

It would be unwise to invest too much cash at this stage in the competition, but of those to make it through the first round, I think that Tina and Chandi will go the furthest. Simon Cowell is 1/2 with Paddy Power to buzz the most often during Series 4.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing betting odds on TV shows.

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We’ve only had one episode of Britain’s Got Talent, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from ducking a short-priced favourite.

Susan Boyle stunned judges with I Dreamed A Dream on Saturday’s show, and already has her backers. The 47 year old had been available at 4/1 with totesport earlier, but is now best-priced at 9/4 with Boylesports.

No doubt that Boyles will conjure up some imaginative publicity in time - they share the same name!

9/4 is an extremely short price given that we don’t know Susan’s competition, but she created such a tidal wave on Saturday that we could see her go odds-on.

The unemployed virgin will be well supported by Scotland and has an incredible voice.

Normally at Bookies Blog, we like to oppose the short-priced favourites in the specials markets – but time and time again they do the business. For every Ray Quinn (Dancing On Ice) there is a Verne Troyer (CBB 2nd), so punters should tread with caution.

Dance act Flawless are 5/1, but Susan will probably encounter tougher opposition later on in the show.

Paddy Power bet 1/3 that Susan signs a deal with Simon’s record label. Simon will be very keen to cash in on Susan’s image and voice – 2007 BGT winner Paul Potts has already pocketed a cool £6m.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing odds for specials markets.

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