I've had to think long and hard about who would be my Man of 2009. In a year of turbulence it's been difficult to pick out greatness, and I've resisted the temptation to go for the hollow easy choices - cool people, research into someone nobody would have heard of to make me look intelligent...instead I've gone for someone who has gained respect in a very British way. That man is Peter Andre (no...seriously...stop laughing).

For the right reasons Peter has been mocked by the British public ever since he flopped onto our music charts in the 90s with, really, quite poor music that only staggers on in ironic theme bars full of hen parties. But, like many a martyr, it was a disastrous year that showed his real fibre. His gritty split with Katie Price (Jordan) took its toll yet he marched on resolute, refusing to divulge or descend into publicity-grabbing filth. For once, Max Clifford was on the wrong side.

As Arthur Miller rightly pointed out in a View from the Bridge, 'the British admire courage' and he's been rewarded in our swelling support.