Marcus Collins has backed his former X Factor pal Frankie Cocozza to take the title of Celebrity Big Brother 2012 champion.

The disgraced X Factor star, who was kicked off the show after being caught taking cocaine, has become the favourite to win CBB after acting in a mature and reasonable manner in the middle of a huge row between housemates Denise Welch and Nicola Mclean this week.

Marcus, who will release his debut single 'Seven Nation Army' later this year, is delighted to see Frankie doing well, telling the Daily Star: "He got a bad rep on X Factor, so I’m glad he’s showing he is genuine on Celebrity Big Brother."

Frankie escaped the latest Big Brother eviction last night (Jan 25) with Nicola and former So Solid Crew star Romeo being axed. The show is set to finish this Friday (Jan 27) with just Frankie, Michael Madsen, Denise Welch, Playboy twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon and Gareth Thomas left in the house.