COUNTDOWN TO BIG BRO WINNER...BUT CHANNEL 4 ARE THE LOSERS

Who will win Big Brother 9 tonight?

Friday September 5,2008

By Julia White for express.co.uk

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AFTER another summer of the reality show, Big Brother 9 is just hours away from switching off the lights in the infamous house.

Tonight the winner of the £100,000 prize will be revealed - and it could be anyone's.

Unlike previous series, there is no obvious winner out of the five remaining housemates Rachel, Sara, Rex, Darnell and Mikey.

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Bookies' predict that 33-year-old Mikey Hughes, a blind radio producer from Ayrshire, Scotland will narrowly edge out the rest.

But it remains to be seen whether Australian Sara Folino, 27, who was a late comer to the house, will be crowned instead.

The personal assistant from Melbourne has not only been a favourite with Darnell - who has made his feelings for her very clear during their time in the house - but also with the fans.

And albino Darnell Swallow, 26, trainee teacher Rachel Rice, 24, and Rex Newmark, 24, will also be vying for the top spot on the Big Brother podium.

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One thing's for sure, whoever wins, Channel 4 will be the losers tonight.

Viewing figures are the worst ever this, with an average of 3.2 million tuning in - 300,000 less than last time round.

It has only attracted a 15.8 per cent share of viewers, compared with 17 per cent in 2007.

And critics have complained that there has been no key characters to capture the imagination.

The question has to be asked, is it time that the Big Brother lights were turned off for good?

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