It has been revealed this week that Channel 4 made this years Big Brother 8 dull on purpose. The series was the least watched yet, there were very few fights, next to no explosive personalities and only one lapdancer (I refuse to count Shanessa).

But Tim Hincks, creative director of producers Endemol told the Sun newspaper that after the fiasco that was Celebrity Big Brother 2007, Channel 4 and the shows makers decided to play it safe this summer.

Hincks said: “It’s been on the front pages since January — and there’s no doubt that’s had an effect, as no show benefits from over-exposure.

“After the white-knuckle ride of CBB, we wanted a show without mishaps.”

He said there had been fears “the wheels have come off”.