The Secret Millionaire is a reality documentary series on Channel 4 that can be a roller coaster of emotions and some heart warming moments. It sees the wealthy millionaires of the title going underground and living in deprived areas with the aim of finding out the people in most need of some financial help.
The millionaires keep their true identities secret so get to connect with “real” people who don’t expect anything from their new “friend” or colleague and because of this, the millionaires get to have a true understanding of the problems faced. Over the duration of the filming, the millionaires have to live in modest circumstances with no access to their everyday millionaire lifestyles.

Each millionaire stays in their undercover role for 10 days and the filming is carried out under the pretext of making a non-related documentary. At the end of the programme, the millionaire reveals his or her identity and surprises their new acquaintances with thousands of pounds worth of gifts of money.
The millionaires usually have a personal association with the type of people they wish to help. For example, one Scottish millionaire, Gordon McAlpine went back to his old neighbourhood of Govan to help the deprived citizens of the area, and Adee Phelan a millionaire celebrity hairdresser returned to the Essex coast where he grew up to help the people of Jaywick. While there, he donated money to a cancer charity and helped the local people improve this deprived area.

Secret Millionaire was first broadcast in 2006 and since then has run to 10 series on Channel 4. The Show‘s format has also been sold abroad with the USA, Australia and Ireland all making their own versions of the show.
This show can be genuinely moving as people in desperate circumstances are helped by the mystery millionaire!
 

Watch all episodes of The Secret Millionaire here. The Secret Millionaire is a tv-programme of BBC One. You can see all episodes of The Secret Millionaire here via Youriplayer.co.uk.