Free world versus the other lot.

Europe and America, the Western civilised world, the free world. We love ourselves because our society is built on fairness, equal rights and, most importantly, freedom (with a little help from God along the way).

This modern world prides itself on its freedom, - freedom to choose, freedom to speak.

So why on earth has a short broadcast by Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on a British TV network caused such outrage?

Ahmadinejad, who looks like a distant relative of Roy Keane but is probably not as hardline as the uncompromising Irishman, was given a few minutes airtime on Channel 4s Alternative Christmas Speech.

The item has run for several years now and started as a satirical alternative to the traditional Christmas message from the Queen.

In predictable fashion, outrage began pouring through press outlets at as critical critics criticised the decision to give Iran's president a chance to air his views. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office were the first to condemn the broadcast.

I'm no historian or politician but from what I've learned from the past, both recent and history, is that problems occur - or are exacerbated - by the failure of two sides to communicate, discuss and conciliate.

So surely it is no bad thing to hear a point of view from a man who some see whenever the words terrorism or axis of evil are booted around.

Far from inflame the situation this country is embroiled in, either in Afghanistan, Iraq, listening to this man may enable future compromise more, not less, likely.

I find the attitude of those criticising Channel 4s brilliant idea to organise and broadcast Ahmadinejad's speech idiotic. These are the same people who will tell you of their pride in their nation and their pride to live in freedom - then they complain when that rfreedom of speech right is exercised by someone who's views they disagree with.

I'm not saying I agree with the things Ahmadinejad said, just that it is right that he got the chance to say it.

If you're going to judge a man or a nation, at least do it after you've heard what they have to say - don't do it without even listening because you're then in danger of acting like the thing you despise.

Merry Christmas

Junk food and obesity in Britain

The fats of life: 84 per cent of Brits are unhappy with their bodies.

Twenty-eight per cent survive on a ready-made meal and junk food diet. I can only presume that the other 72 per cent are washing down their salads with mars bars, lager and cherry coke.

Statistics can be manipulated, twisted or simply made up. But there can be no denying the fact that Britain is full of fat so and so’s.

You only have to walk down the high street to see how overweight this nation has become – and I’m not talking about podgy old grannies with ankles like kebab joints.

It’s the young, the twentysomethings, the teenagers and the eight-year-olds. It fills me up with shame. I wish they felt the same.

While there is no doubt the fat phenomenon has infested us from America we have to look around us and ask: Why aren’t everyone else as fat as us?

Obesity is nowhere near the problem across the rest of Europe as it is here.

This year I have hosted a Dane and a beautiful Dutch girl into my home.

The Dane, stopping off as he walked from Lands End to John O’Groats, told me the most outstanding feature of his journey so far had been the size of the British belly. He has travelled extensively round Europe. He was disgusted.

The Dutch girl, a food journalist, was horrified at the junk-food dominated eating habits in Britain.

All I could say to both of them was: You’re right.

This nation has lush farmland, is surrounded by rich oceans and has enough multi-cultural influences to be able to produce the finest, freshest meals for itself.

Instead we struggle to peel potatoes and live on a diet of packet pies and frozen meals. If you eat these sort of foods regularly you should be ashamed of yourself and your lardy arse.

I say to the 84 per cent: If you’re unhappy with your bodies, do something about it you fat f***ers.