Outrage as second ‘poverty porn’ Benefits Street series planned

Despite all of the controversy that came with the first series, Channel 4 are pushing ahead with the follow up to Benefits Street.

benefitsstreet

by Jack White |
Published on

This time the show will feature residents living in Kingston Road, Stockton-on-Tees, but some of them are not happy about it.

READ: WHITE DEE ON BEING JUDGED: "IF YOU'RE ON CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER YOU PROBABLY NEED BENEFITS"

According to reports, one in five adults living in the road are on benefits, but Channel 4 have been accused of exploitation to gain viewers.

The first series turned Dee Kelly into a star
The first series turned Dee Kelly into a star

64-year-old John Hening has lived in Kingston Road for 40 years blasted the programmed, insisting they will broadcast only lies.

He told the Daily Mail: "They don't give a damn as long as it brings in the viewers. They don't care if anyone gets hurt.

READ: WHITE DEE 'IN TALKS' TO BECOME PLUS-SIZE MODEL

"We are getting it 24/7 down here. They will edit out the truth so it looks like lies and edit the lies so it looks like the truth."

But some are worried the show is just out to exploit people

The first series of Benefits Street, filmed in James Turner Street in Birmingham, made Dee Kelly, 43, into a star. She is currently on Celebrity Big Brother, after reportedly signing a £100,000 deal.

READ: WHITE DEE WARNS IMMIGRAITON STREET PARTICIPANTS: "IT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE"

But a local MP for Stockton North thinks the programme, which has already started filming in Kingston Street, is a very bad idea.

Alex Cunningham told the newspaper: "There is no doubt this is about exploiting vulnerable people in order to make money. I know they will say it is about trying to give people a voice, but all they will do is expose them to the full glare of the media."

Do you think the new series of Benefits Street is a bad idea?

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us