They have managed to beat out people such as Josef Fritzl, Kim Jong Il and Robert Mugabe.

What is even more alarming is that a small group of irritated iconoclasts have managed to position Malcolm Turnbull, John Farnham, Susan Boyle, Mexicans, David Koch, Jessica Watson and Matt Preston in the top 33.

The message seems to be that the general public has lost the ability to distinguish between the genuinely evil and the simply irritating.

Sandilands and his sidekick are silly, aggravating and unfunny – but they are certainly not worthy of our hate.

Their venal antics – which are obviously motivated by an odious pursuit of money and notoriety – fall far short of the crimes against individuals and humanity committed by Fritzel, Jong Il and Mugabe.

And to put people like Turnbull, Farnham and Susan Boyle on a list of this nature speaks volumes about personal prejudices while saying very little about the person who is targeted.

Ms Boyle, we believe, is a gifted performer who has achieved highly deserved prominence following the exposure of a remarkable talent.

Mr Turnbull, whether or not you agree with his views, is an intelligent, committed and hard working individual who is doing his best to advance the cause of his party and of the

country.

John Farnham, while his music may not appeal to all, is a tireless and talented singer who has put in the hard yards to earn whatever success he currently enjoys.

It would appear that the respondents to Zoo Magazine’s survey are more motivated by the famous “tall poppy” syndrome than they are by any understanding of what constitutes genuinely evil and hateful behaviour.

Perhaps they need to grow up a

little.