William Hill Hedges New Year Bets

UK bookmaker William Hill has launched a range of betting options on what might occur in Britain 2009, including predictions involving Harry Potter, the royal family and Eurovision.

In the category of likely occurrences, the bookmaker is offering such bets as: 1/4 on Heath Ledger to posthumously win Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars; 4/6 on Danni Minogue being sacked as host of reality TV program X Factor; 4/5 on Mamma Mia winning the Golden Globe for best comedy; and 11/8 on Prince William becoming officially engaged to long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Slightly less likely are scenarios such as: 7/4 on The Office star Ricky Gervais to present an Oscar; 2/1 on Robbie Williams to record an album with his old band Take That; 3/1 on the UK to finish last in the 2009 Eurovision song contest; 6/1 on Prince Harry to get engaged; and 7/1 on Prince William or Prince Harry to get married.

For those looking for a long-shot, William Hill has what could only be termed more creative options, offering: 8/1 on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to both win a golden globe; 16/1 on Posh and Becks to adopt a child; 33/1 on Michael Jackson to appear on reality TV show I'm a Celeb; and 33/1 on an eighth Harry Potter book being published.

Betting is also available on possible replacements for Daniel Craig as James Bond, the profession of Madonna's next husband, and the hair color of FHM's sexiest woman of 2009.