I have a confession to make: I'm a bit of a comic book geek. Yes, I know it’s un-cool, but there‘s just something about the big, bold world of superheroes that I can‘t help but love. On the other hand, though, I despise those peskily persistent reality TV shows that have cluttered up Saturday nights for what seems an eternity now. So, when I was handed Who Wants To Be A Superhero, the Sci-Fi Channel’s venture into the realm of reality, I was confronted with an inner dilemma Peter Parker himself would be proud of.

Thankfully, this six part show has about as much in common with reality as one of The Joker's maniacal schemes - and it‘s all the better for it. Debuting this weekend, it’s a wildly pantomimic flight of fancy which focuses on eleven random nobodies who have to live as self-created comic book characters in a bid to impress superheroic overlord Stan Lee. Whoever proves him/herself worthy of Lee’s praise will then be immortalised in both a Sci-Fi Channel original movie and Dark Horse comic book.

Unsurprisingly, such rewards attract a vast and colourful array of contestants, some of whom are more sincere than others. The mini-skirted Creature, gold-clad Lemuria and muscle-bound Iron Enforcer all seem to be budding actors cynically looking for a break, while the gladiatorial Ty'Veculus, with his entirely pointless apostrophe, is simply an irritation. Salvation comes in the shape of Cell Phone Girl, Feedback and the magnificently camp Major Victory, though, who bring a real sense of fun to their creations.

Sadly, some of this childish glee is hampered by the overwhelming American melodrama and the harshness of some of the tasks the contestants must perform in order to prove their superhero qualities (does anybody really need to see women attacked by two vicious, albeit highly trained, dogs?). Still, the group tackle them with such joy that it’s impossible not to be won over, making Who Wants To Be A Superhero simple, trashy entertainment which is perfect for the long, hot Bank Holiday Weekend.

Who Wants To Be A Superhero is showing throughout the Bank Holiday weekend on the Sci-Fi Channel.