Frankie Cocozza could be the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2012, after closing in on favourite Gareth Thomas

 Well, we didn't see this one coming

Frankie Cocozza may have been kicked off The X Factor for being a little prat, but it looks like Celebrity Big Brother viewers are lapping up his wild behaviour, with the Brighton boy set to become the new favourite to win.

The 19 year old is cruising towards the Celebrity Big Brother final, with his antics in the house over the last few days winning the audience over.

By managing to strike a balance between being straight talking and quite sweet, Frankie has crept into the position of second favourite to win, behind Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas.

Gareth is the only CBB housemate who isn't up for eviction this week

A spokesperson for William Hill said: “Gareth Thomas has been the favourite for a few days now but Frankie Cocozza has been the only person the people have been wanting to back in the last 24 hours.”

And with all of the housemates up for eviction apart from Gareth – who is pretty much the nicest person in the world – it looks like Nicola McLean will be getting the boot on Friday night.

Nicola annoyed viewers after pretending to kiss Frankie in the hot tub

The blonde glamour model is favourite to get the boot after being dubbed ‘fake’, with short tempered TOWIE boy Kirk Norcross and the sneaky Playboy twins also at risk of eviction.

There’s no way the brilliant Natalie Cassidy or admittedly quite funny Frankie will be leaving anytime soon though, with odds of 33/1 and 40/1 to go.

Reckless Frankie Cocozza hits new low as he is turned away from club

Frankie Cocozza seems to be on a downward spiral as after being axed from the X Factor tour, the party-loving teenager was turned away from a trendy London nightspot.

X Factor fame doesn’t last forever and having sensationally left the show just one week ago, already it appears Frankie's star is fading.

The 18-year-old headed out for yet another night on the tiles following a heavy one the day before when he was spotted surrounded by a gaggle of girls outside Aura nightclub while puffing on cigarettes.

But on Wednesday night, Frankie decided to ditch the girls In favour of a lads' night, thought his antics were very much the same.

The evening started off tame with a trip to Shrek: The Musical to see a pal perform but as soon as the show was over, it seemed he was hellbent on returning to his raucous ways.

Chain-smoking as he made his way with a group of friends to local pub Nell Of Old Drury, his hair was in its usual disheveled state.

Wearing his trademark skinny jeans teamed with a t-shirt emblazoned with the word 'obey' – no doubt a reference to his rebellious side on the X Factor – he kept the chill out with a maroon hoody.

But later in the evening, when he decided to use his new-found fame to open up doors for him on the club scene, the night took a turn for the worse as he was refused entry to top London nightspot Jalouse.

It is bound to have come as a surprise to the cocky teen who must of thought with his X Factor tag, London was a free zone for him.

The snub came just hours after it was confirmed Frankie wouldn’t be allowed to partake in next year's X Factor tour, despite contestants including The Risk and Johnny Robinson, who were given the boot before him, being allowed to join in the fun.

However, clearly wanting to keep his cool and not let Jalouse's rejection put a halt to his night out, a worse-for-wear Frankie ended up moving onto the Freedom Bar in Soho until the early hours of the morning.

Being the rebellious lad that he tries to be, he made sure to let lurking snappers know exactly how he felt after being turned away as well as he showed them his middle finger from inside the bar.

Freakout Frankie Cocozza threatens to leave X Factor

COCKY Frankie Cocozza threatened to quit X Factor if he ended up in the bottom two on Sunday.

He threw a tantrum and told mentor Gary Barlow he'd had enough after getting abuse on Twitter.

A show source said: "Frankie had a meltdown. He knows he won't win and can't be bothered with all the haters."

The 18-year-old told fans after Sunday night's show: "I won't lie, it's been a tough week. I thought I was going, but luck was on my side."

Yesterday, rejects The Risk revealed they had warned him to party less.

Andy Merry, 20, said: "We said to him, 'You've got a great opportunity, just calm down a bit.' "

Ashford Campbell, 19, added: "He balances the work and the play — but at the minute I think he's just enjoying the playing."

Meanwhile Frankie's behaviour is being probed by TV regulator Ofcom.

He yelled: "F****** have it!" after getting through on October 23 — swearing before the 9pm watershed. The night before scenes of him out with pals, may have glamorised alcohol.

X Factor shocker as The Risk and Johnny Robinson are voted off in double elimination... and Frankie

X Factor back on top in ratings war after Saturday's live show beats Strictly Come Dancing!

It was a big shock in The X Factor with show favourites The Risk and Johnny Robinson being voted off in a double elimination.

Flamboyant Robinson was voted off after going head-to-head in a sing-off with fellow Over-25s act Kitty Brucknell.

And surprisingly, Brighton wildboy Frankie Cocozza managed to stay another week, despite his panned performance on Saturday night.

His mentor Louis was forced to choose between Robinson and Brucknell, admitting he thought the blonde singer was more likely to get a recording act.

After it was announced that Robinson was going home, both Walsh and Gary Barlow shed a tear for the popular finalist.

Choosing between his acts, Walsh said: 'They've been incredible to work with. They were both incredible in the sing-off. I have to pick the person who I think in the real world who would get a recording act and the act I'm gonna have to send home is Johnny.'

Joining Robinson on stage, who appeared to accept his fate with good humour, Walsh added: 'This guy is a brilliant singer, he's a great character, he's gonna have a great career. I hate to see him go home.'

Robinson said: 'I wanna thank everyone who have got behind me. All the judges, everyone out there in the UK who accepted me for just being me.'

Unemployed Robinson, 45, sang The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody, while Brucknell, 26, sang Kelly Clarkson's Beautiful Disaster.

After the sing-off Tulisa said: 'I get along with both of you really well. I've got to go with the act that I look forward to watching perform each week so the act I'm sending home this week is Johnny.'

Kelly lamented: 'The act that I'm looking to that is gonna provide us with something more in the competition is Johnny.'

Although Rowland's decision cemented Robinson's departure, Barlow added: 'Johnny is one of the nicest people in this competition.'

While the pair fought for survival in a sing-off, boy band The Risk were eliminated straightaway after receiving lowest vote.

The Risk's exit came as a shock as only a week ago they were second favourite to win the show by the bookies.

But perhaps their recent change of line-up after Ashford Campbell, 16, replaced Ashley Baptiste may have affected their chances.

When asked how they felt by Dermot O'Leary, The Risk singer Derry Mensah said: 'I dunno what is it. I'm just happy we're here together.'

Charlie Healy added: 'We're The Risk, we're just gonna carry on,' while bandmate Andrew Merry said: 'It's been a honour to sing with these guys.'

Tulisa's girl band Little Mix were the first to find out they were through until next week, followed by the new bookies favourite Marcus Collins.

Despite landing in the bottom two last week, Manchester singer Misha B was thrilled to find out she was safe for another week.

There was shock when Cocozza got through, with the singer evidently surprised he had managed to survive another week after his performance of The Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling the previous night.

Frankie Cocozza axed from 'The X Factor'

The controversial singer was asked to exit the ITV singing competition after breaking a 'golden rule'.

In a statement, The X Factor said: "Frankie is leaving the show today after breaking competition rules. He is going to take some time out before continuing his career as a singer. We wish him all the best for his future."

Cocozza has issued an apology to his mentor Gary Barlow, his fans and his fellow contestants.

"I'd like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me, but, as of today (Tuesday, November 8), I will no longer be in The X Factor," he said.

"My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has over-stepped the rules of the competition. I no longer deserve my place in the show, so I am therefore leaving. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me."

The 18-year-old, who has become notorious for his hard-partying lifestyle, is believed to have been asked to leave the X Factor house this morning.

Cocozza is currently at the centre of two Ofcom investigations, amid accusations that he swore on air and that his on-screen antics have glamorised the misuse of alcohol.

An announcement will be made tomorrow (Wednesday, November 9) on how Cocozza's departure will alter the format of the show, following calls for previously-axed contestants to return.

Frankie Cocozza reveals the extent of his drug use 'My six night cocaine bender':

Admits he was wasted on the drug for almost a week straight

Reveals he has slept with seven girls since being on the reality show

Former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza has revealed he's not a drug addict but an 'idiot' instead.

The 18-year-old hopeful has opened up about his bad behaviour that led to him being booted off the ITV reality show.

Cocozza revealed that he has taken cocaine six times and said he will regret his action for the 'rest of his life.'

But despite being asked to leave the singing competition, Cocozza was already spotted back in London yesterday heading to Holborn Studios in North London.

He emerged from the building tonight to have a cigarette and seemed particularly pleased with whatever had been going on inside as he flashed the camera a huge smile and gave a thumbs up

Speaking ton today's Sun newspaper, the big-haired wannabe explained that he felt guilty about what he'd done.

I feel bad about letting the fans down and I'd like to apologise to the people who voted for me,' he said. 'I'm really, really sorry.'

However despite ruining his chances on the X Factor, Cocozza admitted that he couldn't guarantee that he will stay away from drugs in the future.

The hopeful - who has admitted to trying the illegal high mephedrone in the past - said: 'I can't see into the future so I can't say that I'll never do coke again.'

Cocozza, who lives with his mother in Brighton, East Sussex, also revealed that he has slept with seven females since starring on the X Factor and admitted that it was easy.

Going out just got mental as women would just come up to me,' he admitted.

'I didn't really need to dig out the chat-up lines which I used. It was so easy.'

However the youngster's downfall was last Saturday night which he spent with blonde Becca Hills.

She was at his side during the hedonistic night of passion and partying that led to his axe from the X Factor.

The 19-year-old has spoken out on the scandal.

Hills is cagey about the details of what went on inside the West London flat she was seen entering with Cocozza on Saturday night, but admits: 'Some stuff happened between us, it's a bit embarrassing to talk about.'

Cocozza was pictured topless and sitting with a female companion in the window of the flat where an after-party took place over the weekend after a night of clubbing.

But despite their liaison, Hills insists: 'I don't plan to keep in contact with him. There's no future between us.'

Speaking again to The Sun, Hills, insists: 'I never wanted him to get in trouble. He seemed a lovely guy who likes a drink.'

The teen and her friend Katherine Holland, who was also pictured at the party, say they did not witness the singer taking drugs.

Holland, 19, told the Sun: 'We didn't see him do cocaine, but it's not that we followed his every move. Drugs are for losers, we never touch them.'

Cocozza and his entourage were pictured carrying crates of beer into the flat after a night of partying at Funky Buddha nightclub.

On the X Factor results show on Sunday night, he admitted he'd only had 30 minutes sleep while some claimed he was still 'off his face' during the programme.

It later emerged that production staff overheard him boasting about his 'cocaine-fuelled sex session' on the Saturday night, and reported him to the show producers.

Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that he was leaving the show.

In a separate report, it has been alleged that Cocozza funded his wild partying with money paid into his account by FremantleMedia, who produce the X Factor.

The company is said to have paid each other contestants a 'discretionary payment' of £3,000 following their work on the M&S Christmas advertisement, the Mirror reports.

Marks & Spencer, which has a sponsorship deal with the series, did not pay the contestants for the 'When You Wish Upon a Star' ad campaign.

'Frankie is a normal 18-year-old,' a source told the paper. 'He got the money and it was burning a hole in his pocket. He couldn’t wait to blow it on partying.'

Cocozza was still spending up a storm on Wednesday after returning to his home in Brighton.

The wild child went shopping at shoe store Vans, where he was spotted handing over a wad of cash for a pair of trainers, and also stocked up at All Saints.

A spokesperson for FremantleMedia was unavailable for comment.

Gary Barlow: I'm hugely disappointed by Frankie Cocozza X Factor exit

Gary Barlow has said that he is "hugely disappointed" following Frankie Cocozza's exit from The X Factor.

The head of this year's judging panel issued an official statement after Cocozza's departure was confirmed earlier today.

Gary Barlow has said that he is "hugely disappointed" following Frankie Cocozza's exit from The X Factor.

The head of this year's judging panel issued an official statement after Cocozza's departure was confirmed earlier today.

Barlow said: "Frankie has apologised publicly as well as personally to me and the producers for his actions that led to him leaving the show.

"I'm hugely disappointed that he's thrown away an opportunity like this after working so hard to get here. I'm sorry to see him go as we've been through a lot together in such a short time."

He added: "I hope Frankie continues to look to me as a friend and supporter and works it all out, picks himself up and somehow tries to turn this into a positive."

Barlow had repeatedly backed Cocozza despite sustained criticism from other judges on The X Factor panel in recent weeks.

Following Cocozza's performance of with Black Eyed Peas 'I Gotta Feeling', Louis Walsh said: " You're not a rock star, you'll never be a rock star, and the only thing big about you is your hair."

Barlow admitted that Cocozza seemed "defeated" on last weekend's show, but added that he was "really pleased" he would get the chance to perform again with a better song choice.

Xtra Factor host Olly Murs described Cocozza's axing as "incredible" on hearing the news on live radio and suggested that he will soon find out the reason why he had to go.

Former X Factor winner Steve Brookstein has suggested that Cocozza's continued presence in the contest gave the show a "bad image" and was "damaging the brand".