In order to tolerate and indeed enjoy Big Brother, let's face it, you have to shelve your political correctness. For nine years I've done just that -- accepting everything the godfather of reality TV has thrown at me, from an international racism scandal to wine-bottle masturbation to pregnancy scares to a Portuguese she-man.

I thought we'd seen it all. But this year it has reached an all-time low in terms of voyeuristic sadism with the introduction of a blind man to the fold.

Yes, Mikey Hughes, the 33-year-old Scottish radio producer, did put himself forward for the show. He obviously wanted the fleeting spell of notoriety that BB brings. But the producers should not have cast him. They should have known better. It's a brutal parade of cruelty.

I am not discriminating against Mikey. Nor am I undermining him as a person. In fact, he's by far the most articulate, likeable and intelligent person in the BB house.

However, it's difficult to watch him trying to orientate himself around the house on a show watched by millions, bumping into things, often at the mercy of his housemates for assistance.

Many people have argued that Mikey's inclusion could contribute to positive representation of blind people, and challenge stereotypes.

I agree, blind people should be better represented in the media, but I don't feel the confines of a mad house full of ignorant, socially inept degenerates is the best forum in which to do so.

It's risky, but then that's exactly what the producers want -- and the inherent impetus for Mikey being there.

The production company behind BB, Endemol, is essentially exploiting a visually impaired man. He's a pawn in their plot to reinvent the ailing beast -- and that's profoundly wrong. Call me cynical, insensitive, whatever you will, but I don't believe that Mikey was cast in this year's Big Brother to represent the blind. I believe he was cast purely for entertainment purposes, to engineer publicity and controversy, boost ratings and generate profits.

Surprise, surprise, Mikey is the favourite to win -- and has been since he emerged from the car on the opening night. The crowd were all ready to engage in the usual ritual of thunderous boos, jeers and heckles until Mikey pressed his white stick to the floor and his disability became apparent. Their reaction changed -- dramatically.

An audible sign of, "Awww," was uttered, as if he were a cute puppy chasing a bee. It was both patronising and pathetic. The last thing Mikey needs is sympathy, but that's what he'll get by appearing on BB. If he wins, he'll be winning the sympathy vote.

What will happen with the weekly tasks that BB sets? Will he be outcast, or perhaps even exempt? Or will BB design the tasks according to his disability? It's virtually impossible for them to treat him like any other housemate, given that they have to make allowances for his impairment.

Even his interaction with his housemates has been affected. From the outset, many of the housemates have been treating him like a defenceless child. One contestant, in her ignorance, expressed surprise at Mikey's ability to use the swimming pool.

And Mario, (Mikey's closest confidant in the house), has been accused by fellow housemates of befriending Mikey so that he'll look good in the eyes of the viewing public and will therefore avoid eviction.

While, Mario is a vain, vacuous numb-nut, he seems to have genuinely bonded with Mikey. But he let himself down greatly the night of "knicker-gate". When Mikey was being vilified for innocently donning one of the female housemates' thongs, Mario, in an attempt at justifying Mikey's actions, announced loudly, "He's got a disability."

Meanwhile resident troublemaker Alexandra let loose, saying she didn't care whether Mikey was blind or not and that he was in the wrong.

You see, they're only in the house 10 days and the "blind" card just keeps cropping up.

It's his blindness that characterises Mikey as a contestant. It's sad and unfair, but unfortunately it's true.