Although in theory the final decision with regards the Mercury Music Prize isn't taken before tonight's award event, some bookmakers reckon it's a forgone conclusion that the Darkness will take the prize after a sudden rise in the number of people trying to place bets on the album to win in their Camden and West London stores - ie near the record labels. Unfortunately for said insiders bets on the Award closed before the weekend. However the sudden interest has caused William Hill to put The Darkness as favourites to win over former faves Coldplay.
Commenting on the sudden interest in The Darkness a Ladbrokes spokesman told reporters: "We are inclined to believe there are dark forces at work. We've had a lot of people coming in, mainly in west London and Camden trying to back The Darkness - music industry places are based there."