WE all have our guilty TV pleasures.

Those programmes that we watch while thinking that we really should be doing something more useful with our time.

On the whole I’m not a fan of reality TV shows or anything that involves members of the public making idiots of themselves for the amusement of the viewers at home.

I can do a good rant on the way in which shows like Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor lure in vulnerable people, assuring them of their skill, all the while giggling in glee as they consider the ratings boost when the hapless fools step on the stage, only to be booed and humiliated by the audiences and judges.

But I make exceptions for cookery and dancing. I love Masterchef and I love Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice.

It’s partly because those taking part have to work for any accolades they get. No matter how atrocious they are to start with, if they persevere they get better. If they can’t be bothered, they won’t get far.

To me that’s not a bad ethos to have running through a show. But, admittedly, it’s also because they’re so funny.

Tuesday saw the start of the new series of The Great British Bake Off. Bake Off is my favourite. There’s something irresistible about people slaving for hours to make the perfect Victoria sponge only to take it out of the oven and drop it all over the floor.

Maybe it’s because I’ll never be going anywhere near the Big Brother house or subjecting an audience to my utter lack of vocal talent, but I have shed a few tears over an inexpertly executed birthday cake or a calamity of a quiche in my time.

There’s a difference between nasty mockery and a ‘been there, done that’ sympathetic chuckle.

And there’s always the chance with Bake Off that you’ll come into work the following week to find someone was so enthused by it that they’ve made macaroons for everyone.

You don’t get that with Britain’s Got Talent.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here