So Anouska has been evicted from the house and after just one week we have been drawn back into the world of Big Brother.

With the self-confessed flirt shown the door it's hard to see what this series will have to offer with no obvious characters left to keep us entertained.

But despite the lack of interest in the remaining 11 very ordinary people, no doubt we will continue to be glued to our screens.

But why are we so interested in watching a group of 20-somethings feed chickens, sunbathe and get drunk?

Is it because we have such empty lives we want to watch other people sleeping or is it something altogether more smug?

I don't believe there is one Big Brother fan who hasn't smiled in the knowledge that they are not as thick as Jade or as dippy as Helen.

We all love the chance to look at the fame wannabes and to revel in the power we have to knock them down to size.

This is playing God in its rawest form - if someone gets on your nerves you can end their media career with a phone call - if you're impressed you can make them a star.

That's where Anouska slipped up - she forgot it wasn't the other housemates she had to impress but the audience at home.

Her flirting and giddy personality may have eventually won the other contestants over but she just seemed too big for her boots so the nation decided to cut her back down to size.

Taking control of a group of strangers might not be as exciting as going out and living your own life, but settled on the sofa with a bottle of wine, a pizza and your mobile - it comes a close second.

Published: 05/06/2003