Diets often bring out the worst in people. Successful slimmers smugly share their secrets, while unsuccessful ones comfort themselves by munching on crisps. And the really stupid ones sign up for Secret Eaters (C4, 8pm, 23 April) which films them doing it.

Offering up the greedy antics of the woefully obese, the show filmed 20-stone Michael as he tucked into a gargantuan dinner washed down with fruit juice. He drinks so much juice his monthly sugar intake equates to 162 jam doughnuts.

Not to be outdone, 19-stone Katie ate six Krispy Kremes, gorged on a mountain of pasta, mayo, garlic bread and pain au chocolat, then took on a Chinese banquet. And won.

Finally, we saw their combined weekly consumption piled on top of a groaning trestle table so we could gasp in horror at the disgusting fatties.

Remarkable Television, owned by reality specialists Endemol, would no doubt argue they produce this show because people enjoy it. Presumably it appeals because it makes dieters feel better about their own attempts to lose weight by letting them gawk at people failing even more miserably than they are.

Whatever the reason, reality TV’s voyeuristic shock tactics have long been dissected and analysed at stupefying length. Secret Eaters is not the worst example. Yet it should feel as ashamed as one of its ‘stars’ after they have been caught out on camera inhaling a cream cake. What a miserable excuse for entertainment it is.

Unless you’re on a diet, of course. Then it makes you feel wonderful.