Danny Wallace, presenter of BBC reality TV show Castaway, has spoken to Hot Stars magazine about why he thinks the show flopped.

“I wanted to do it because it was three months on a beautiful island and I got paid,” Danny told Hot Stars magazine. “If something sounds fun then I’m there.

“People are used to reality shows every night and I think Castaway being on once a week was a bit strange. Once the show was put on three times a week, the ratings improved, but it was too late. Some things catch on, some don’t.”

Four people have been short-listed for Cast Me, the competition offering one member of the public the chance to join the Castaway TV show in New Zealand.

Viewers can now vote for which person they think should join the other castaways by simply visiting bbc.co.uk/castaway to check out the contenders’ profiles and make their choice.

Plus, in his own cheeky way, Scott Mills on BBC Radio 1 is supporting Cast Me when he sits in for Chris Moyles on the Breakfast Show this week. See bbc.co.uk/radio1/scottmills for updates on his antics…

The results of the viewer vote will be revealed by Richard Bacon in Castaway Exposed (Sunday 22 April, 7.30pm on BBC Three). The winner will then have just a few days to pack and prepare as they will join the other castaways – who have no idea there will be a new arrival – on Sunday 29 April.

Castaway presenter, Danny Wallace, gives his thoughts on the qualities required by the new arrival: “Whoever the public chooses will have to have a bullet-proof personality but one that is capable of adapting – not just to island life, but to life with a pretty tired, pretty hungry and pretty stinky group of strangers.

“They’ll have to be able to live without hair straighteners, lip gloss, and lattes, and expect to share a wooden floor with the elements, the rats, and quite a scary Scotsman!”

The four contenders are:

* Alex, a supermarket worker aged 23 from Cornwall:

Alex feels lost at the moment. He hates his job in a supermarket but can’t decide what he wants to do. Despite having a new bright idea every week he rarely follows these through.

On his hopes for joining Castaway, he says: “I would hopefully like to gain some life experience. I feel like since school I have had a path laid out for me, now that it’s my turn to choose what I should do I am absolutely clueless. I hope that this trip would help me get some focus with what I am going to do with my life.”

* Catrin, a psychology student aged 20 from Cardiff:

Catrin thinks that living in close quarters with the other castaways will be the most challenging part of the experience, but she wants to get onto the island to tell the other to stop being drips and get on with it!

On why she wants to join Castaway, she said: “This experience would take me out of my usual environment; put me in something completely out of the ordinary. I’m a normal Welsh girl ready to represent Wales and show we’re not all weird, stupid and blonde!”

* Lawrence, a retail manager aged 21 from Surrey:

Lawrence believes he is destined to take part in Castaway because when he heard Cast Me on the radio he was overwhelmed by a feeling that he had to do it.

On signing up for Cast Me, he says: “I’m a big believer in omens and felt that this was just too good an opportunity to miss out on and my senses where picking up on something! I just feel I have to do it and know it will become obvious when I’m there as to why I’m there!”

* Robina, a trainer for a charity aged 22 from Shropshire:

Describing herself as single and desperate she’s had enough of the Shewsbury dating scene and is keen to get away.

On Castaway, she comments: “I would totally love the whole experience whether it was good or bad.”

I read today that viewing figures have plummeted for BBC One’s newest reality show Castaway, and I am shocked and perturbed.

I am a definite Castaway addict. I find it so refreshing to watch a reality TV show that doesn’t contain a cast of cartoon characters, and ones that have actual tasks of practical importance.

I started this series as a Danny Wallace virgin, and in the two shows I have seen and also my daily dose of Danny’s Diary, I am now a complete and utter 100% Danny fan. He looks great in front of a camera, is funny without being smarmy and last but not least….he’s not Patrick Kielty.

Come on people give it a go……in no time at all you’ll be an addict like sad old me!