McCall has been with Big Brother since its UK launch in 2000

McCall told Radio Times the show's contestants represented a balance of British society and were not "freaks".

The sixth series finale was watched by 7.7 million viewers, making it Channel 4's most popular show of the year.

McCall said she had signed up to present the next series, and could not imagine leaving the programme.

Channel 4 has already confirmed another two series have been commissioned, while Celebrity Big Brother will also make a return, possibly going out early next year.

Rowdy crowd

McCall said one of the only reasons she could think of for leaving is if producers started trying to manipulate people inside the house too much.

She added that she was under no illusions that it was a difficult job to do.

"It's easy to present - out with a very, very rowdy crowd talking to the camera," said McCall.

"But somebody would find it hard to come and do it - a bit like trying to fill Cilla's shoes on Blind Date."

McCall has an answer to the criticism that Big Brother routinely faces.

"The people who go into that house are a cross section of British culture. They're not freaks.