Ben Elton has spoken about the inspiration behind his latest novel Chart Throb.

The comedian and writer has provided a satire of talent shows like X Factor and Pop Idol in his latest offering, which was released last month.

"They're not really reality shows - they are the modern talent contests - or so they suggest that they are - and of course my novel's a comprehensive year in extraction of the whole tawdry affair," he told Parkinson. "It's about those desperate, crazed, no talent, fame junkies - obviously I'm talking about the judges here!

"It's the central to the culture now, the desire for an instant hit of stardom to become instantly famous is really I suppose the goal. Famously Chantelle lived the dream."

Continuing the discussion on reality TV shows, Elton named George Galloway's appearance on Celebrity Big Brother as the moment when he became worried about the genre.

"The worry I have - certainly something I have as an observer - was the George Galloway moment," he explained. "I, like many people supported the war because I believed we were nationally under threat. Galloway didn’t and he made a big noise about it and was impressive in front of the American senate when they tried to do him for corruption - and then suddenly he’s in a cat suit on Big Brother!

"Now his argument was that it was necessary in order to connect with an audience that were disassociated from politics, you have to go to them. I think that’s a mistake, I think politicians have to re-discover the dignity of office."

Parkinson airs at 10.30pm tonight on ITV1.