Benefits Street star Deirdre Kelly has claimed that the makers of the Channel 4 “exploited” the people on the show.
The Channel 4 documentary series following several Birmingham residents was a big hit when it aired back in 2014.
But Deidre – who was known as White Dee on the show – has now criticised Channel 4 and Love Productions, saying there was no aftercare and that the people in the series weren’t any help on how to handle being thrust into the public eye.
She told BiminghamLive that the stars of Benefits Street found themselves in the papers when it aired.
She said: “When you talk about support and aftercare there simply wasn’t any. There was no support while it was being made and there was certainly no aftercare.”
(Image: Birmingham Mail/Darren Quinton)
Dee said that a lot of the attention the cast received was negative, with people criticising them for being on benefits.
“But no-one told us how to deal with it,” she added. “We were just left to deal with the fallout from the show.”
“We were exploited and left on our own, hung out to dry,” she claimed.
(Image: Channel 4)
Benefits Street aired in January 2014 and focused on several people living in the Winson Green area of Birmingham.
Viewers were gripped by the lives of cast members such as White Dee, Smoggy, Samora Roberts (Black Dee) and James Clarke.
Later that year, Dee became a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother, alongside celebs such as boxer Audley Harrison, The Hills star Stephanie Pratt, Lauren Goodger from The Only Way Is Essex and former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan.
(Image: mirrordigital)
She came fifth in the reality TV show, which was won by Hollywood star Gary Busey.
Channel 4 have since disputed the claims, saying in a statement: “Psychological support was offered to all those featured in the series throughout the filming, during transmission and beyond. Advice was given on the likelihood of criticisms and unpleasant comments on social media.
“All contributors were given guidance on engaging with online communities and social media. Following the unprecedented media attention, executives from production returned to Birmingham to provide ongoing support to contributors throughout transmission. Close contact and support continued beyond transmission.”
Daily Star has contacted Love Productions for comment, however the company have previously defended allegations that the show was ‘poverty porn’.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
