Recent reports from the US is that Congress will pass a bill to bail out the auto industry, although current forecasts are that it won't pass before December 16th. Very few people really expect the $15bn loan to be the end of the matter but it will stave off bankruptcy for now. The bill will likely result in a car czar to oversee restructuring of the industry.

At least one thing going for the big three is they don't throw money away in that multi-million dollar willy waggling competition which is Formula One. Honda is pulling out and with their domestic rival gone the chances of Toyota pulling out are forecast to be about 25%. To add insult to injury, Rebecca Adlington has now pulled ahead of Lewis Hamilton to take pole position to win Sports Personality of the Year. Odds on Hamilton plummeted as news of the crisis at Honda broke. It looks like motor industry is running out of both cash and fans.

Last Saturday's X Factor was a tear fest and not just because of Britney's ropey lip synching. All the contestants managed to burst into tears at the drop of a hat, or more conveniently, at the turn of the TV camera. Ultimately though, Ruth's star performance and Simon Cowell's obvious hots for her couldn't save her over her even more tearful rivals.

In this week's show, we can expect more tears (you know, because they just want it so much) but that won't be enough for one act.  The prediction markets suggest that it will be JLS to go. JLS never did look likely to win and stripping off for Heat magazine didn't exactly create the look Louis was hoping for (safe for work but still none too pretty).

The real story in the win market however is Diana's downfall. Only two weeks ago Diana was strong favourite with a 60% chance of winning the competition. But since her laryngitis attack, Diana's frequent tears, puppy-dog looks, and wringing of hands seem to have transformed her from the adorable new Sandie Shaw into the rather less adorable new Joss Stone ("My life is just so tough").

So now Alexandra is the firm favourite, however my forecast is that Eoghan will be the shock winner. All those 15 year old girls can't be wrong. Even then, Diana will get a recording contract while Alexandra will be the only one to achieve lasting success.