Britain's most popular televised talent show, The X Factor, has reached the knockout stages, leaving nine solo artists and three groups fighting for a £1,000,000 recording contract and the possibility of a coveted Christmas number one single. Now in its fifth series, The X Factor is as popular as ever as the viewers tune in to hear the thoughts of Simon Cowell, Danni Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole. Betfair and Skybet have introduced a number of betting markets for The X Factor and are giving away free bets that can be placed at market leading odds.

This year, Simon Cowell is mentoring “the boys”, who are Austin Drage, Eoughan Quigg and Scott Bruton, of which, Mr Drage is the strongest signer if the early auditions are anything to go by. The job of mentoring “the girls” goes to the newest judge, Cheryle Cole. This category looks as if it the strongest by far, with all three singers very capable of winning the entire show. Alexandra Burke is the early favourite but Laura White and Diana Vickers will give her a run for her money.

Last year’s winning judge, Danni Minogue, has the task of tutoring “the over 25’s.” It was an over 25-year old who won the first ever X Factor, Steve Brookstein, and Miss Minogue will be hoping that wither Rachel Hylton, Daniel Evans or Ruth Lorenzo can see her crowned as the winning judge for the second consecutive year. Finally yet importantly is Louis Walsh who is in charge of “the groups.” No group has every won the X Factor so Louis will have a tough time in getting quartet JLS, Bad Lashes or Girlband through to the final three. The latter, Girlband, are early favourites to be eliminated during the first knockout show.

The free bets available from Betfair and Skybet can be used on a wide array of betting markets. Free bets can be placed on the best male, best female, best group, best over 25, the first to be eliminated and of course, who will win the 2008 X factor final, to name just a few of the available free bet markets.