THIS year's Big Brother has got me glued to the screen. Totally hooked. Line and sinker.

From a disappointing start when the mix of has-beens and never-weres traipsed into the house, causing half the nation to shout "who's that?" at the screen it's turned out to be the best series yet.

And it's got to be said, this year's male contestants are among the most macho, sexist, infuriatingly arrogant bunch ever to grace the house.

Top of the food chain is George Galloway, the cigar chain-smoking, leather-clad maverick MP for Bethnal Green and Bow. He couldn't try any harder to be alpha male if he started beating his chest.

There's lilo-lipped Pete Burns, who seems adamant to flash his wares at the cameras at all times. Maggot's comment "like the last turkey in Tesco's" was spot-on as Pete stood crotch-to-camera in the diary room, his thong struggling to contain its load.

And, of course, completing the gang is disgraced "national treasure" Michael Barrymore, who can barely hold a conversation without breaking down sobbing.

Between them they've bullied the women contestants into submission making all decisions, taking the tasks so seriously they're no longer fun and controlling the group dynamic.

George Galloway famously created Respect (The Unity Coalition) when he was booted out of the Labour party.

Respect? The way he, Michael and Pete bullied and taunted Jodie Marsh was uncomfortable viewing.

But is it just the male contestants' fault or are we, the viewers, just as much to blame? After all, it was Barrymore whose TV career was left in ruins after a man was found dead in his swimming pool who got a riotous welcome reception.

Whereas Faria who claimed to have had sex with the England manager got mercilessly booed and jeered.

Aside from the politics, this series has done something the last few have failed to do it has got us to care about the characters.

Chantelle to win!