Jagger and Widdecombe to wed. Wanna bet?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The prospect of her imminent trip down the aisle may be news to Ann Widdecombe, but it is one of the bets on events for the forthcoming year available to the nation's gamblers.
The odds on a Widdecombe marriage are 25/1, raising the prospect of men in smoke-filled betting shops hunched in study of the relevant form. As they contemplate the idea, they would do well to consider the more favourable odds being quoted by bookmakers William Hill on the marital prospects of another ageing hellraiser. The likelihood of 58-year-old Mick Jagger wedding a partner the same age or older than himself is given as 20/1.
The new year odds currently being quoted to punters up and down the country range from the prosaic to the absurd. Those partial to the occasional cautious flutter would do well to consider putting money on the 10/1 prospect of the Queen abdicating. But even the most frivolous gambler might find it hard to envisage the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, making way for a woman (1000/1).
While he may still be looking for that elusive Hollywood lead role, ex-footballer Vinnie Jones apparently has a 50/1 chance of lifting his first Oscar come March. And Harry Potter author JK Rowling can be even more optimistic about her prize- winning potential, after being accorded a 20/1 chance of scooping the Booker.
Even the odds on British sporting success appear to be decidedly positive. Though the likelihood of England being knocked out of next summer's World Cup in the first round is listed as 5/2, the team is given a 10/1 chance of winning the tournament.
Sadly, 2002 also looks set to be yet another dreary year for the Conservative Party, as Iain Duncan Smith is given a 250/1 chance of becoming Prime Minister, odds which mean the bookies think it 10 times less likely than wedding bells for La Widdecombe.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments