The Channel is yet to reveal the final list of contestants, but it is very likely that Mr Sheridan’s ten housemates would be made up of former weather presenter Ulrika Jonsson, the dwarf actor Verne Troyer and the American rapper Coolio, among others.

Mr. Sheridan is, however, not the first to get a taste of the reality series, for that record is held by George Galloway, the Respect MP and fellow left-wing diehard, who created a stir some two years ago. Mr. Galloway is much renowned for donning a red leotard and for performing a robotic dance. The gentleman also showed great competitive juice as he lasted the grueling competition for a respectable 22 days and was fourth to be evicted.

But to expect such excellence of Mr Sheridan is pretty unrealistic, since, according to bookies and the who and who of the game show world, he lacks the charisma and presence to appeal the traditionally young viewers of the reality television show. Indeed, the ratings for political shows are not nearly as high as for Big Brother, and, I for one, would rather watch something other than MPs debating on my Samsung HTTZ315R home cinema. Moreover, Sheridan’s strident opinions and no-nonsense attitude can create too much discord with the audience for his own good.

Rupert Adams, from William Hill, picked Troyer as the one to look out for and ranked him at 7-2, while Mr Sheridan found himself as a rank outsider paired alongside the likes of singers Mutya Buena and Michelle Heaton at odds of 14-1.