Notorious benefits scrounger and Reality TV star White Dee caused a storm when she claimed she was too depressed to work.
The 42 year-old – who appeared on controversial Channel 4 show Benefits Street in January – hasn’t had a job since 2007 after being signed off with depression and claims handouts equivalent to £20k a year.
Last month the mum-of-two - real name Deidre Kelly - caused uproar when she was pictured partying in Magaluf despite her illness and was slated for using her celebrity status to earn money from promotional work.
In a bid to help her get back into work, Closer gave Dee the opportunity to try three different jobs that were recently voted the UK’s happiest.
She spent the day as a florist, admin worker and hairdresser but although she smiled for the cameras, she concluded the jobs were “tiring and boring.”
Dee pulled out of the fourth job of the day, a fitness instructor, because she was "too mentally exhausted.”
Speaking exclusively to Closer, she says: “I want to get back into work but I’m not sure these jobs are for me.
“I found office work boring and hairdressing tiring because you’re on your feet all day.”
But despite being dubbed a scrounger, Dee – who has two children, Caitlin, 16, and Gerrard, seven, named after footballer Steven Gerrard - broke down and admitted for the first time she feels guilty about being on benefits.
She says: “I do feel ashamed. But I haven’t always claimed benefits, I had an admin job before I became depressed. I know I’ll find the right job one day, I know I won’t stay on benefits forever.”
To read the full story, pick up this week’s issue of Closer.
With huge thanks to the following people who opened their doors to Closer and White Dee:
Jeanette and George at Miss Lily's Flowers – Visit their website www.misslilysflowers.co.uk for FRESH flowers
for ALL occasions - specialising in bespoke Funeral Tributes - Gifts and Balloons to make your events memorable.
*Cora and her fantastic team from hair@1816 *– based at the Great Western Arcarde in Birmingham – for bookings please call 0121 233 9993
*Veronica and her team from Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer *– visit their website to find out about their work and how you can get involved – www.ladiesfightingbreastcancer.org.uk
And Oli and the team from Fit Body Bootcamp Birmingham – check out their website, www.ukfitbodybootcamp.co.uk/birminghamfitnessbootcamp for times and prices