Big Brother favourite to make millions as work offers pour in

Agents and family members representing the Bollywood star have been inundated with offers for book deals, TV work, film parts and endorsements.

Shetty, 31, who is the bookies' favourite to win the reality show on Sunday, has endeared herself to the British public after facing alleged racist bullying, triggering a record level of complaints and international uproar.

But whether she wins or not this weekend, Shetty, who has already made millions from a 14-year career in Bollywood, will reap the benefits of emerging from the furore with her dignity intact.

In addition to the £367,000 fee she was reportedly paid by Endemol, there is a £100,000 contract on the table to present Cricket Star - a new X Factor-style reality show - which she will consider with her mother Sunanda, who is her manager, and UK agent Jazz Barton, after she comes out of the house. The Indian version of Cricket Star has been a success and the show's chief executive Fraser Castellino described Shetty as his "perfect host" for the UK version, to begin in summer.

A bidding war for the rights to Shetty's autobiography is also expected to secure a six-figure advance. Ms Barton said: "I will have a lot to go through with my client next week regarding book deals. She is wanted as an ambassador for charities and is already involved in Aids awareness and [animal welfare campaigners] Peta. We've also had people in touch regarding theatrical work."

Publicity guru Max Clifford said Shetty's handling of the treatment by Jade Goody and her cohorts in the house had given her "an amazing platform".

Mr Clifford told the Standard: "The programme has raised the spectre of racism, bullying and cultural ignorance - Shilpa could do a lot to heal and mediate around these issues." He added that her acting experience could help her reap the benefits of a Big Brother triumph for much longer than previous contestants.

As well as a six-figure deal with a tabloid, endorsements for the India tourist board and beauty products a cook book could be in the pipeline. In Bollywood, where her career had stalled, demand will grow rapidly.

The flurry of opportunities is in contrast to the sinking career of 25-year-old Goody. Her perfume Shh... has been removed from sale, publisher Harper-Collins has pulled the plug on a paperback of her autobiography and a chat show for Channel 4 has been shelved.