[Red Moon]

Russell also landed in hot water over his no-holds-barred comments about the BB housemates on his talk show. "Craig's dad initially refused to shake my hand because he thought I'd been cruel, making nasty jokes about him on Big Brother's Big Mouth," said Russell.

"It was quite scary because he's quite a big fella. I really like Craig though. I think he's hilarious, really brilliant."

Russell reckons even the most irritating contestants still made great telly. "I enjoyed them all this year," he said.

"You watch them one day and find them so unbelievably annoying.Then the next day you're sitting thinking, 'Aaaw, I actually really love these people HE was delighted to see Geordie lad Anthony, 23, scoop the prize, and thought it was great that a die-hard Big Brother fan had won.

"He had always loved the show and wanted more than anything to win," said Russell. "He was desperate to get into the house and said himself he'd have done it even if the prize money was a toothbrush.

"He just seemed like such a nice guy."

Kemal's parents were a lot more friendly and invited Russell round for tea.

"I think I'm probably obliged to go," said Russell. "I sort of said I would. Kemal isgreat fun though. I'm sure it will be a very interesting experience."

The skinny presenter, whose non-stop wide-boy patter and twinkling brown eyes have earned him his fair share of female admirers, also took a fancy to Makosi.

"I found Makosi incredibly attractive," he said. "I have a thing for women who are cruel and powerful the way she is."

But, as boys up and down Britain argued about over pints for weeks, was she better eye candy than boob-flashing Orlaith?

"Orlaith was very pretty but I prefer my girls a bit bigger and curvier," said Russell.

"I'd have to say I preferred Saskia or Makosi to look at."

And, naming no names (Kinga), what did he make of some of the housemates' shameless attention-seeking this year?

"I'm definitely not in any position to judge people for being attention seekers," said the manwho has been arrested for flashing at police officers on a May Day march in London and fired from MTV for being too loud even for them.

"In the job I do, I'm a professional attention seeker. I think everyone wants a bit of attention in one way or another. Even terrorists if you think about it."

RUSSELL'S BIG BROTHER VERDICT

ANTHONY

'He'd always loved the show and wanted so much to win

MAKOSI

'I have a thing for women who are powerful and cruel like her

ORLAITH

'She was pretty but I prefer my girls a bit bigger and curvier

Excerpt taken from: Daily Record