If someone goes on a show like big brother and the public love them, they will clearly get a boost to their self-esteem - the approval of others is a key factor in self-confidence.

In everyday life we present a certain 'face' to those around us, not revealing everything about ourselves. Yet in the environment of a reality TV programme, there is nowhere to hide; not only are you often cooped up with the same group of people 24/7, but cameras capture aspects of your life that are normally private. You are often placed in high pressure situations with no opportunity to hide your emotional reactions. To be accepted 'warts and all' by people who have seen you arguably at your worst is the biggest complement there can be. It reinforces the idea that the 'real' you is perfectly acceptable and something to be proud of.

The fact that in 2008 more people participated in voting for the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' than in the 2005 General Elections must allow the participants of the show to feel content about gaining more interest than politics. This is not surprising though when we have a PM like Gordon Brown or opposition such as David Cameron and Nick Clegg.