Ben Way, The Secret Millionaire: Channel 4
I just watched the Secret Millionaire on Channel 4 and was a bit baffled by the outcome.
I thought the show had a great idea behind it, and it is nice to see a reality show where someone, other than a celebrity, actually benefits.
I watched avidly, wondering who Ben Way, the twentysomething millionaire entrepreneur, would award his cash to. Would it former boxing champion James Cook, dedicated to keeping kids away from drugs? Or perhaps Wayne, a student with aspirations to sell his range of designer fashion? Or Ufu, the manager of the youth club who seemed to be running it on little more than his goodwill?
In the end Ben awarded cash to all three…a nice gesture, I’m sure all three appreciated it greatly. But didn’t it defeat the purpose of the show? I wonder if all the shows will follow this format? If so it kind of takes away the element of surprise doesn’t it?
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December 2nd, 2006 at 9:43 am
Secret Millionaire touched us. Two sides of society quietly getting together. It is a mystery how old-fashioned philanthropists decided who to reward and Ben Way showed us how hard it is to decide who should get the money.
The heroes got the cash in two out of three cases and the potential star got the third slice and a business partner. What was facinating was to watch Ben’s awareness grow as he had to come to a decision. I felt as though his preconception ws that he’d do something amazing and original with his money. Instead he came to see the answer was staring him ih the face. The scene with Ufu when he gave him the cheque for the youth centre could have been mawkish and self indulgent in other hands - but here it was fabulously real. Cant’ wait for more. Charity eh? That’s the conclusion…
December 7th, 2006 at 3:28 am
Hi i have been watching secret millionaire.I am very impressed by the secret millionaires and the way they help the people.It gives me hope that some day one of the millionaires will knock at my door and help me in crisis.I am on jok seekers allowance and receiving housing benefit.I cant bring my family from abroad because of financial problems.All the time my account is running in negative.I cant work full time because of my studies.I am a doctor and cant afford to pay for my exams.I know you just want comments about your channels.I wish my mail could reach to one of the millionaires who can realize my situation.I dont want alot but just enough to bring my family and take my exams.SO if there is any millionaire in Birmingham,he should come forward to help.Lastly i do like ur program and wish i was one of the recepients.Channel 4,you are my last hope.If you wanna contact me please dont hesitate to write me on my email.thanx
December 11th, 2006 at 11:43 am
Does anyone else find Saf’s pathetic begging sad, inappropriate and out of place? Is this going to be a site where we can all start our sob-stories and beg for someones money? Realise no one’s going to help you, get working and sort yourself out! Not working and on job-seekers allowance, and that’s before you get your family over. Will any of them be working? No one OWES you an income. Get out and get earning, slacker.
The millionaires money should go out to struggling local charities (not street beggers), youth groups and the like. Lets see more of the likes of James Cook and Ufu
December 21st, 2006 at 1:57 am
I just wanted to say well done to Ben Way on the way he helped those people and perhaps many more with his generous donations.
I just hope that one day i would be as fortunate to be able to offer the same type of help to those people that really need it.
Too often you hear of big charities raising money for good causes but you never really know just how much money reaches those in need what with admin costs ect.
This young chap Ben Way has worked hard for his money yet seems unspoiled by his fortune and stays very grounded and unselfish.
I take my hat off to you sir. keep up the good work and if ever i am fortunate enough to become very wealthy then expect some company when you next go on your travels to change someone elses life for the better.
January 17th, 2007 at 12:24 am
you guys are fab…. keep it up!
March 5th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I turned on that show and just thought wow.. Ben Way is beautiful. And although he’s a little older than me, he’s still kind of within my age range.
He’s so kind, I think he’s lovely.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
MY NANNA IS ALWAYS WATCHING ALL THESE TYPE OFF SHOWS AND ALWAYS HAS GOOD WORDS TO SAY WHEN PEOPLE GET HELP .I KNOW THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE NICE IF SOMEONE HELPED HER AS SHE IS GOOD HEARTED AND ALWAYS LOOKS AFTER US ALL EVEN THOUGH I KNOW SHE HAS MONEY WORRIES. SHE CANNOT WORK BECUASE SHE IS ILL AND HAS HELPED US WHEN MUM AND DAD GOT DIVORCED I JUST WISHED THE MILLIONAIRE WOULD COME UP OUR WAY AND FIND HER,SHE WOULD GO MAD IF SHE NEW I WAS WRITEING THIS I AM 14 AND LOVE MY NANNA TO BITS MY NAMES DEANA
November 7th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I just watched Jill go back to West Ham and thought it was one of the most enjoyable programs I had seen in ages. We all love a nice ending but to know it was sincere…one we would all love to be on either end of, Giving, or receiving if in need.
Wish I’d seen Ben! I live in the area!
Bless them all for keeping their hearts in the right place.
Well done Channel 4 Love it!
November 15th, 2007 at 11:16 am
the secret millionaire–i wish he could find me a pensionersa g/f flat in wirral-away from the traffic that is eating my windows-24hrs a day-
sheltered accom is okey provided you do not have to wear h/phones in bed-wish i had never moved into this sheltered madhouse–there must be queit flats in wirral but where—litherland is over run with traffic like the pied piper
with rats—–any ideas—
November 28th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Just watched Secret Millionaire again, Terry George. I was so touched he was also affected by the elderly in care homes. My Dad died in one a year ago today. The role of (good) carers is v noble and it’s an outrage they’re so lowly paid. I hope your millionaires read these comments? Hats off to Terry for being so hands on and God bless him for his generosity to all. Thank you xxx
November 28th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Just watched Secret Millionaire with Terry George. I was so touched he was also affected by the elderly in care homes. My Dad died in one a year ago today. The role of (good) carers is v noble and it’s an outrage they’re so lowly paid. I hope your millionaires read these comments? Hats off to Terry for being so hands on and God bless him for his generosity to all. Thank you xxx
December 4th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Hello to your show, The Secret Millionaire )
I love to see people getting some help, it appeals to my generous
nature,
I love children very much, and know of some who need help,
My own feelings if I were in the position of
all of these millionaires,
would be to offer all the help I could give….
I am disabled myself, and to have some company everyday, writing
materials, a nice computer to use, I love meeting people, and be in the position to help…… would be an absolute miracle to me …Love Lorraine….
December 5th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
hi,me again,this page is for comments about the programme,not a begging letter page,nearly everyone is in debt and wishes for a millionaire to come and solve your problems,but get real!! get out there and earn for yourselves,you never know you could become a millionaire if you work hard,and stop taking the easy way out!im the one from bonaer again,i would just like to say that the single mother ‘kerry’ who worked with us for 3 weeks has just sold her story 2 the ’star’,and if any of you read it i would like your comments. it is absoulutly disgusting that kerry first conned ‘terry’ then she has the cheek to sell her story to the paper(for more money),and slag off us carers saying we all turned against her,what utter rubbish!millionaires that go around giving there hard earned money away,only to be conned by people like that!ive just got in from work and would like to say that the residents who went xmas shopping earlier in our new vehicle,had a wonderful time,and were smiling from ear to ear when they got back.thanks once again terry!!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:34 am
hello mam/sir. i finished my engineering in chennai, india. iam planning for higher studies in usa . its my dream place. i applied for spring 2008 in northwestern polytechnic university, fremont, california specialization in MSEE. will u help me plz. i will prove myself good. i have good academics. i heard great about this. i hope a positive reply from u. thank u. waiting for ur reply. i have from my 10th with 75% aggregate trust me, and allow me to do my MSEE plz.