The grand finale of Big Brother 2025 is upon us, and the bookmakers have spoken, revealing a clear frontrunner to take the crown. In a surprising turn of events, the favourite is the house's oldest resident, 60-year-old composer and author Richard from London.
From Underdog to Top Dog
Richard's journey to favourite status was cemented after he survived Friday night's dramatic double eviction. His odds have dramatically shortened to just 1/5 across major bookmakers, according to Oddschecker, making him the overwhelming pick to win the civilian edition. This surge in support is largely attributed to his very public feud with fellow housemate Caroline, who was evicted alongside Nancy.
John Hill of Coral betting confirmed the shift, stating, "We have seen a strong wave of support for Richard in our betting after he escaped Friday night's double eviction. There is no doubt punters are siding with Richard in his feud with Caroline."
Caroline had repeatedly targeted Richard during their six weeks in the house, labelling him 'boring' and even comparing him to Mr Bean in her exit interview, declaring 'Richard is not funny.' Her attempts to orchestrate his eviction by pitting him against popular contestants Zelah and Farida backfired spectacularly when the public voted the latter two out instead.
A Heartwarming Story and a Diary Room Triumph
Richard's popularity isn't solely down to the conflict. He further won over the nation when he shared the touching story of his adopted son, a 33-year-old refugee from Myanmar. Richard explained how he met his son in Malaysia as a younger man and, after forming a close bond, decided to adopt him. The revelation prompted one fan on X to write, "Can’t cope with Richard adopting a 33-year-old refugee. Stop the show and crown him already."
However, it was his brilliantly sarcastic reaction to Caroline's eviction in the Diary Room that truly sealed his status as the people's champion. When Big Brother asked if he missed Caroline, Richard dryly replied, "Deeply. I could hear violins playing as I sobbed myself to sleep, and the pillow was steeped with my tears." He then paused before excitedly exclaiming "Yes!" upon looking at her empty bed, a moment that sent viewers into hysterics and flooded social media with calls for him to win.
The Competition for the Crown
While Richard is the clear favourite, the competition is still fierce. His biggest rival is considered to be 21-year-old TikTok star Elsa Rae, who entered the house with a massive social media following and has odds of 7/1.
Other finalists include 22-year-old farmer Cameron Kinch, who was granted an automatic pass to the final by his housemates after vowing to use the prize money to save his family's farm; his odds stand at 12/1. They are joined by Jenny (16/1), Emily (20/1), with Tate being the firm underdog at 33/1.
If Richard does secure the victory, he will make history as the oldest winner of Big Brother UK, surpassing the current record held by Jason Burrill, who won the 2016 series at the age of 45. The Big Brother 2025 final airs on Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
