IT seems that 2014 will be the year that sees reality television plunge to new lows.

It's only - just - February and already the "stars" have had more column inches than they deserve, for good or bad reasons.

Yes, there are the obvious exceptions to the rule.

I'm absolutely addicted to The Voice - especially now our very own Vicky Jones has been picked by Welsh legend Sir Tom Jones.

The panel this year are fantastic - sorry but I wasn't a massive fan of Jessie J or Danny from The Script (and STILL don't know his surname).

I love - and have done ever since I was an over-excited 10-year-old obsessed with Neighbours' Charlene and Scott and their on screen romance - the original pint sized popstress, Kylie Minogue.

Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs is brilliant, will.i.am is still crackers and Sir Tom is a living legend - and he's coaching our girl so we have to love him.

And those belting out some VERY impressive numbers have been brilliant to watch.

But the negatives far outweigh the positives in reality TV in my opinion this year.

The first, and I would argue, worst culprit is Benefits Street.

I'm sure those behind this car crash programme think it makes good viewing.

And the parts of it I've seen certainly do make compelling - but very uncomfortable - viewing.

Yes, it's unfathomable to many of us how those living on James Turner Street, Birmingham, can live like this.

But poverty should never, ever be used to merely boost a channel's ratings - and I can't help but feel this is exactly what Benefits Street is doing.

This isn't a programme aimed to highlight the plight of our deprivation-blighted communities. If it was I could forgive it.

But I don't think Benefits Street is even attempting to remove some of the stereotypes surrounding those who exist on the welfare state, whether because they have no other choice (and many find themselves in this position), or because they chose a life on benefits.

It seems to be nothing more than firewood for the already ferocious blaze of indignation currently felt by Middle England that these people are somehow solely responsible for our current economic mess - they're not by the way. Benefit claimants such as these make up a very, very small part of our total welfare bill.

And just don't get me started on Celebrity Big Brother. I really don't know how the programme makers have managed to find such a vile bunch of people. I can't bring myself to use the term celebrities, mainly because I have no idea who most of them are.

All I can say is thank goodness for The Voice - and let's hope this year's Apprentice is a good series.