Record Big Brother phone vote

Several attempts were made at vote-rigging against Mel

A record number of people telephoned Channel 4's Big Brother show to decide which housemate to evict.

Viewers chose from the show's four remaining contestants, who live in a specially built house armed with cameras which provide TV and internet coverage 24 hours a day.

The vote - which booted out flirtatious Melanie - attracted 3.3 million phone callers on Friday evening.

And then there were three: Anna, Darren and Craig

BT said that until Big Brother, the highest ever vote in British TV history was held by ITV's The Monarchy Debate with 2.6 million calls, followed by Stars In Their Eyes 2000 with 2.37 million calls.

Melanie was voted out by 69% of viewers (2,278,158), while dome worker Darren received 18% (580,103) and Liverpudlian builder Craig, 13% (424,575).

She became the bookies' favourite after being nominated for the first time alongside Darren and Craig in the final round of voting before the show's grand finale.

Craig: Favourite to win

Channel 4 also reported several attempts at vote rigging, including a rogue e-mail that offered a free holiday for anyone calling a number - which turned out to be Melanie's eviction vote line.

Liverpudlian builder Craig remains favourite to win the series at 2-5, while former trainee nun Anna is second favourite at 7-4 and father-of-three Darren is 20-1.

Next week the nation will vote to decide which of the three remaining participants, Anna, Darren or Craig will emerge as the winner and collect the £70,000 cash prize.