I think that, of all housemates, Helen is the least deserving to win, simply because she got a free ride to the final.
She didn't have to try and be clever, to exercise tact and tolerance just enough to avoid nomination but all the other hms did. They didn't get the privilege of just 'being themselves' or 'saying it to your face' safe in the knowledge that they were untouchable.
Helen hasn't sat there week after week on eviction night wondering if it will be her. She hasn't had to hear her name and cope with all those feelings of rejection.
And she hasn't changed. She became calmer in the house once certain hms left. There was no-one left for her to argue with. She didn't change her aggressive behaviour, the other hms had just learned to live with her. They knew how to avoid triggering her and they were careful how they phrased their words when speaking with her or they learned how to avoid her.
Ashleigh on the other hand has been very clever. Yes, she is manipulative but she has done it without resorting to shouting and insulting others (mostly). She is under extreme pressure being the one that Helen most dislikes. She has played the game and, let's remember, it is a game. She is quiet and often seems quite miserable but the whole show is one big endurance task and I think she's done well to still be there.
The only concern I have about Christopher winning is that Mark will persuade him to spend the money on him. I don't think Christopher is a fence sitter any more but I do think that he is fair and tries to weigh up all the different information to come to the right decision. He is also very forgiving.
I would actually like Pav to win this year, simply because it would make BB history. I don't think it has ever been won by a hm coming in so late has it? And as most people don't really care who wins that much, it would be a good year to do this. I don't think he will though.
Ash? Not much to say about him really, he's only there still because he's flown under the radar as far as I can see.
I've liked Chris from the start and would be quite happy for him to win. I think he has been on more of a 'journey' than anyone else and is finding it harder to keep his emotions under wraps. I keep forgetting that he is a actor but I do think we've seen the real him. He seemed very threatened when Pav joined the house but not seems to have genuinely accepted him. When Chris thought he was being evicted he did seem to be honest when he said no hard feelings. He even seemed a little relieved that it was all over and genuinely shocked to find out it wasn't.
I think Chris or Ashleigh would make the best use of the money and do something really smart to further their careers, rather than trying to make it as a wannabe.
Finally, after that mahooosive post, thanks for these thread PWBs, I've been following you but always a few days behind so not been posting on 'live' bits but you've all kept me company as I've caught up.
Looking forward to CBB too 