Benefits Street's Dee Kelly says documentary 'ripped apart' her life
Benefits Street's Dee Kelly has said the programme "ripped [her] old life apart" after it aired seven years ago.
The residents of James Turner Street in the Winson Green area of Birmingham were thrust into the limelight due to the Channel 4 show, which attracted hundreds of complaints Ofcom.
Concerns raised were raised over the negative portrayal of those in receipt of benefits, however, complaints weren't upheld by the broadcasting regulator.
Read more: Coleen Nolan says she was branded 'too big for primetime' by TV boss
Kelly, who was referred to as 'White Dee' on the show, became one of the documentary's breakout stars but no longer lives on the road as she's relocated to Handsworth.
"The show ripped apart my life at the time," she told Birmingham Live. "It changed my life forever and it destroyed the James Turner Street I knew before the show."
"I don't keep in touch with any of the characters featured in the show and in some cases that is a real shame."
Other residents seen on the series included James Clarke aka Fungi, who died in 2019, Black Dee, real name Samora Roberts and the 50p man, Stephen Smith.
Media appearances and opportunities arose in the aftermath for Kelly, who described it as a "crazy time".
"My life was turned upside down and I just wasn't expecting it. Benefits Street caused such a storm and the people in James Turner Street were shocked by it and totally overwhelmed," she said.
Read more: Stacey Solomon felt 'out of control' as a teenage mother
The mother-of-two appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, which she says changed negative opinions toward her as the public "warmed" to her.
The publication reports Kelly now earns an income through interviews, guest speaker events and other media work.
Watch: Labour's Emily Thornberry criticises government over Universal Credit