Famous Rich and Hungry certainly got people talking (Picture: BBC)

It was always going to be a televisual talking point – but Sport Relief show Famous Rich and Hungry left many viewers shocked with its portrayal of poverty in Britain.

The BBC One documentary – initially dubbed ‘Celebrity Benefits Street’ – saw actress Cheryl Fergision, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, journalist Rachel Johnson and Dragon’s Den’s Theo Paphitis spending time with people struggling to feed themselves and their families.

The quartet subsequently gave up their luxuries for a food budget of just £3.15 a day as they were placed with families struggling on benefits – who in some cases were living on just one meal a day or going hungry in order to allow their children to eat.



And the reaction was so strong that it even crashed the Trussell Trust’s Foodbank website as people flocked to the organisation’s home page to see how they could help those in need.


Here are some of the most notable reactions from Twitter:

families that struggle to eat in the uk is such a serious issue that should be adressed more. This showhas shocked me! #famousrichandhungry — Araz Farra (@arazfarra) March 12, 2014

Theses celebrities don’t have a clue how to live on poverty!!.. they live on another Planet!!.. sad story’s… :-( #famousrichandhungry — ♥Emma Jovovich♥ (@GregH0useL0ver) March 12, 2014

Possibly most shocking thing about #famousrichandhungry is how many people(esp celeb participants) are really shocked by it. Open your eyes! — Jane McGuinness (@janelikesyou) March 12, 2014

got very emotional at the sport relief programme, can’t believe how little some people have #famousrichandhungry — abbie mcconnell (@abbieMCC) March 12, 2014

Wish they’d put politicians instead of celebrities with those families #famousrichandhungry — Briony (@OSnapItzBriony) March 12, 2014

I can’t believe that it really took #famousrichandhungry to make people realize & understand how much, people in this country are struggling — Dan (@dHook352) March 12, 2014

#FamousRichandHungry was a real eye opener! — Millie Harris (@EmilliaHarris) March 12, 2014

#famousrichandhungry What surprises me is how many people are unaware that this is how so many people live daybydayNeverJudge@sportrelief — Sharon (@fergsa) March 12, 2014