With Papandreou recently resigned and Papademos taking control of a temporary government, William Hill reports that the early money for Greece’s next elected Prime Minister is going on loveable white-bearded geriatric, Papasmurf.

‘We were initially baffled as the money rolled in but once we looked at the situation more closely it made sense’ said Rich Fingers of William Hill’s ‘We Can’t Believe You’re Putting a Tenner on That!’ department.

‘What the Greek people need right now is an experienced leader that can manage a society though troubled times with absolutely no money. Papasmurf has form in this area, he comes in a nation-friendly colour combination of blue and white and to top it all he is quite willing to stand up for the little people against bullies.’

Political experts looking at the form books are however dismissive of Papasmurf’s chances. Mike Smith, Professor of Pointless Knowledge commented: ‘Not every Greek Prime Minister has to be a useless cartoon character; despite recent evidence.’