Odds on for Brown to be out Before election

PM Gordon Brown is reportedly coming under more pressure to stand down as Labour leader and with a by-election now set to take place before the General Election, William Hill Bookies have cut the odds about Brown ceasing to be leader before the Election, from 6/4 (2.5) to 5/4 (2.25).

William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said, "We have seen plenty of support for Gordon Brown to be out of office before the General Election and although he is still odds on at 4/7 (1.57) to remain in place, there is little backing for that option".

Long time favourite to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader, MP Alan Johnson's odds have drifted out from 5/4 (2.25) to 3/1 with William Hill as political punters have been backing the two Miliband brothers to take the party's top job with David and Ed both now quoted as 4/1 joint second favourites.

With reports suggesting that 20/1 chance Ed Balls is also preparing to contest the position as and when it becomes available, the bookies are predicting that hefty amounts of cash will be gambled on who takes over from Brown.

"We are expecting a substantial six figure gamble on the next Labour leader and the current cash is all for the Milibands - although punters can't seem to make up their minds which of the two is more likely to come out on top. Long time favourite Alan Johnson's support is drying up. However, once the job becomes available we are convinced that other high profile candidates will suddenly throw their hats into the ring." said William Hill's spokesman.

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Man wins 1k in weight loss bet

Ian Armstrong a warehouse worker and father of two placed a £50 bet that he would lose five stone before Christmas Day at odds of 20-1 is celebrating netting £1,000 for his local junior football club.

Bookie William Hill has Ian who is 44, has hit the target he set in January by getting from 17st 5lbs to 12st 5lbs by his festive deadline.

The bookmaker said it is its record weight loss for a bet of this type.

A spokesman for the firm said it takes hundreds of bets on predicted weight loss like Mr Armstrong's every year but it hardly has to pay out.

Now Mr Armstrong is ploughing his winnings into the boys football team he chairs in Bradford, West Yorkshire - the East Bowling All-Stars.

Mr Armstrong, who works at the Morrisons depot in Wakefield, said he piled on the pounds after he got a knee injury while out running.

But he decided to diet his way back to fitness as a way of raising cash for the All-Stars, and after a little encouragement from his wife, Tracy. He said his sons Nathan, 10, and Niall, seven, have also been very supportive. They both play for the All-Stars teams.

"It's incredible when you look at the pictures of me before and what I'm like now," Mr Armstrong said. "It's a huge amount to lose but I feel so much better."

He said he managed his dramatic weight loss by changing his diet. And his top tip is to drink a pint of water before meals to cut down your appetite.

"I haven't been following anything in particular. I've just done it myself. It's amazing how everything changes when you ditch the big portions of pie and chips and go on to the rice pasta chicken instead. The charity shops have done well out of it, though. I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe."

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