I accidentally watched the opening episode of The Circle this week, as I found myself all too comfy on the sofa following the Bake Off.

I was aware of the show’s debut last year but never caught a single second of it myself. I think the synopsis alone had put me off, and 2019 is no different: a bunch of attention seekers all move into the same apartment building, communicating only via voice activated messaging screens, hoping to be named most popular and taking the cash prize, this year an eye watering £100,000.

So far so very Big Brother-esque - it’s even hosted by former BB frontwoman Emma Willis.

But The Circle is basically social media in action, and as we all know, things aren’t always as they seem in the online world.

This year’s contestants are a mixed bag, and pretty much all are playing it to win. There’s Emelle, a lesbian who’s playing it ‘straight’ because it’s easier; cheeky chappie James who has given himself the identity of young single mum Sammie; and 40-something mum Katie who is playing as one of her sons, Jay. Plus a whole cast of wannabes, including the excitable 18-year-old son of Zoe Ball and Norman ‘Fatboy Slim’ Cook, farmer Sy and a couple of beautiful party girls.

The person that fascinated me the most though was 58-year-old professor Tim, an eccentric former monk, who arrived cat in tow.

He seemed clueless and naive but embracing things and having the time of his life, getting to know the big personality girls, Brooke and Georgina. They made for an odd trio but it was kind of cute.

Having checked each other’s profile, players had to rank their rivals based on nothing but a photo and few words, and after a while of bonding messages - James/Sammie and Katie/Jay looks like it could get complicated - the results were in, with the top two to receive ‘influencer’ power.

Brooke and Georgina were devastated to find themselves joint bottom, risking eviction, Tim was giddy at landing second place and James was joyous at having pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes as his alter ego Sammie scooped first place.

As if it wasn’t all ridiculous and shallow enough, entering the building next is Richard Madeley, of This Morning fame. There’s a twist of course. Viewers can decide if he’s to play The Circle as buff 20-something Richard or sexy 20-something Judy. I’m cringing already.

The Circle was entertaining enough but I’m not sure I’m prepared to stick it out, dipping into my own social media is often enough to have me wishing for the days before the internet.

The Circle is on every night, except Saturday, at 10pm