A BUSINESSMAN from Bolton has staked the biggest bet in the country on the outcome of reality show Celebrity Love Island.

The punter, who is in his 30s, placed the £1,000 bet on ballroom dancer Brendan Cole at William Hill in Halliwell Road, Bolton.

He reluctantly placed the bet on the advice of his wife, who is an avid viewer of the ITV programme, which attempts to matchmake celebrities on a South Pacific island.

Cole is odds-on favourite, at 4/6, to triumph in the show's live final on Monday - meaning the businessman stands to make £666. But he is so embarrassed at putting money on the outcome of the show that he refuses to be identified.

The first-time better is said to have looked like a "lost soul" when he entered the shop on Tuesday afternoon.

Paul Rothwell, manager of the branch, said: "The guy came into the shop looking rather nervous and lost.

"He stood at the back of the shop just looking at the betting screen. He told us he'd never placed a bet before, so we showed him what to do.

"But he was terrified when we asked if we could use his name in publicity."

The man told staff: "My wife's asked me to do this, but I'm so embarrassed about it."

Callum Best, son of footballer George, is second favourite at 9/2, followed by Chris Brosnan, son of James Bond star Pierce, at 5/1.

Bianca Gascoigne, daughter of former England footballer Gazza, is favourite female at 2/7 odds.