What next for Nick?

"When one door closes, another one opens..."

Love him or hate him, you cannot deny that Nick Bateman is a remarkable man. Such duplicity! Such resolve in the face of humiliation!

But now he's out of the Big Brother house, PR guru Max Clifford says Nick can go on to much bigger things, and earn up to £1m over the next year. We consider his options.

Hostage negotiator
Nick's remarkable ability to be nice to everyone's face while plotting against them behind their back was his downfall. But there are walks of life where that sort of skill would be invaluable. How about getting on-side with crazed gunmen holding up a jumbo jet, making them believe he's their trusted friend? Few could do it better.

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Tele-evangelist
Just consider the evidence: lies, deceit, double-crossing, a straight face, PLUS humiliation, apology and tears. What more could he possibly need to become a TV preacher? He even used the faithful old excuse: "I made a mistake." And a quick look at the Nick Bateman Appreciation website will show the level of devotion he has inspired among some of his fans. The cult of Nick may only just have started.

CV alchemist
Nick was a little creative with his past history. He was a broker, that's true. But not a senior one as he claimed. He is a vice chairman of Fulham FC, it's true. But so are 77 other season ticket holders. Was he really in the Territorial Army for three years? There's some doubt. So if you're looking for a new job, who better to talk to about your own CV than Nick? Just a few minutes with him and your "work experience" will suddenly be transformed into "a period of consultancy".

Taransay, home to BBC's Castaway 2000, said goodbye to a family of four this week

Recluse
He's been through a lot in the last few weeks. He's got a lot to come to terms with. He may want to lay low for a while. Where better than a remote Scottish island? As luck would have it, there is a property which has recently become available on the island of Taransay. (There's a bit of TV filming going on there at the moment, but that shouldn't worry him too much.)

Stockbroker

Stockbrokers - a keen sense of competition

If none of the above appeal, Nick may have to retrace his steps, which may suit him best of all. By his own admission, he's been conditioned by his past: "I [have been] in a very competitive job where people gladly would stitch you up without even thinking about it. It has been like that for the last 10 years - that is the reason I did what I did." Well, Nick, old chap, why not play to your strengths? Dust off the pinstripes and get yourself back to the City.