IT REALLY does beggar Diary’s belief when companies carry out research into completely left-field issues.

Whether it’s the public view on Michelle Obama’s dress sense being sought by manufacturers of treacle or the local lawnmower firm asking whether people think Manchester United are going to bottle it in Europe, the unconnectedness of this lark never fails to surprise us.

A classic example comes our way with a poll on what the great British populace find annoying – conducted by a carpet cleaning company.

The study by 1001 claims that people becoming famous off the back of somebody else – such as WAGs and kiss-and-tell mistresses – is the greatest bugbear among women, followed by failed Big Brother contestants who turn up at every single free bar going.

In third place are celebrities calling their children ridiculous names, followed by famous faces ensuring their appearance is airbrushed in magazines, and politicians. And there we were thinking they were all doing a marvellous job with their living expenses.

But why has a carpet-cleaning expert done this research? Well, it’s because of 1001’s “effective range of solutions” for spills and odours on carpets and upholstery.

Anyway, that’s all for now, as Diary must get on with its groundbreaking survey on whether Jaffa Cakes or Clubs are best.