'Uh-oh, I'm in trouble'

Some might say he was foolish not to realise the stir his Big Brother antics would cause.

But today the penny finally dropped for George Galloway Two weeks into the reality show, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow has cottoned on to the fact that his appearance has prompted trouble.

It came nearly 24 hours after the 51-year-old appeared via video camera on the Richard And Judy show.

He was picked by housemates to play the couple's You Say We Pay quiz game, to help win cash for food.

Unwittingly letting slip the fuss going on in the outside world, host Judy Finnigan told Mr Galloway: "We're not allowed to tell you what the papers, the public or MPs are saying."

Mr Galloway has been widely condemned for taking part in the show at a time when redevelopment plans for the Royal London Hospital in his constituency hang in the balance.

Last week he missed a Commons debate on the Crossrail project which also has major repercussions for the area.

After pondering Finnigan's comments overnight, Galloway today finally realised their implications.

The grim-faced MP told housemates: "They gave the impression there is enormous interest in the show. And trouble.

"They said, 'We can't tell you what the papers, public or the MPs have been saying.' So the MPs must be attacking me for being in here." Actress Rula Lenska tried to comfort the MP, suggesting: "They might be congratulating you for coming in."

But Mr Galloway insisted: "No, I think it's attacking" - before going for a walk around the garden alone.

His presence in the house has also given rise to a series of internet sites devoted to getting him out of the show.

One, Get Back to Work, George, has calculated the cost so far to taxpayers' of his absence from his MP's duties. So far, the tally stands at more than £2,100.