Mixed reaction has seen some call him 'bonkers' while others praise him

Calls have been made to help flood victims with foreign aid budget

He was speaking as guest editor on BBC Radio 4 Today Programme

Actor Michael Sheen has risked the wrath of the north after criticising calls for the foreign aid budget to be diverted to help flood victims.

Sheen, 46, was guest editor on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme discussing a variety of topics from Christmas to Syria, before turning his attention to the debate over foreign aid in a closing speech.

The flood chaos in York and other parts of the North has prompted calls for money being diverted away from foreign aid to help the victims of disasters closer to home.

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Michael Sheen, pictured, has risked the wrath of the North over comments on BBC radio criticising calls for foreign aid funding to be diverted to help the victims of the flooding in Yorkshire

Sheen, 46, was guest editor on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme discussing a variety of topics from Christmas to Syria, before turning his attention to the debate over foreign aid in a closing speech

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in York due to the widespread flooding, pictured

Sheen has portrayed ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair three times including in the Oscar-winning The Queen

Some listeners questioned Michael Sheen's opinions on foreign aid voice on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme

But Sheen, who lives in Los Angeles for much of the year, said the vast majority of the UK's income is spent within this country already and the said the argument in favour of cutting aid to other countries was a 'false dichotomy'.

His words have divided listeners, with some describing him as 'bonkers' while others said he was 'spot on' and praised his performance on the programme.

Meanwhile presenter Nick Robinson was quick to state Sheen was voicing his own views and that future guest editors would have 'alternative opinions'.

FROM PORT TALBOT TO CALIFORNIA: MICHAEL SHEEN'S JOURNEY TO LA According to The Guardian, Michael Sheen relocated to Los Angeles, California, in the late 2000s to be closer to his daughter Lily Mo. In an interview Sheen confirmed he had obtained a green card to reside in the US. He is out there for several months each year to film projects including television show Masters of Sex, where he stars as Dr William Masters, an American gynecologist who published a study into human sexuality. But said he was only living in LA so he could see his daughter as often as possible. He said: 'Britain is my home and that's where all my friends and family are. 'That's my culture and my drive, and that's where I would choose to be. So once Lily's older and is able to move around, I'll probably return to the UK.' Advertisement

The actor is no stranger to politics, having played former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair three times - including opposite Dame Helen Mirren in the Oscar-winning The Queen.

Speaking on the programme, he said: 'A lot of the talk today has been about, "Where does charity begin?"

'Does it begin at home? Why should we be helping children and people from other countries when there's so much suffering and challenges going on in our own country?

Sheen faced a backlash on Twitter after his comments on BBC Radio 4's Today programme

Criticism: Others labelled him 'bonkers' and 'left-wing' after his speech at the close of the show

But Sheen also received a lot of support from listeners who said he was 'spot on' in his views

'And it is absolutely true. There is terrible, terrible poverty in this country; there are terrible conditions for certain people.

'And I can understand why people get so worried about giving money to other countries, but of course 0.7 per cent of the national income goes on foreign aid.

'That is about being a member of the global community, taking that responsibility seriously. 99.3 per cent of course goes on what goes on in this country.

Many people contacted him via Twitter to praise his job as guest editor

Sheen himself tweeted a reference to his speech when thanking everyone for their help via Twitter

Michael Sheen lives in Los Angeles and is currently dating American comedienne Sarah Silverman, pictured

Sheen was previously in a relationship with Kate Beckinsale, pictured left, with whom he has a 16-year-old daughter Lily Mo, while he has also dated Rachel McAdams, right centre, and starred with her in Midnight in Paris directed by Woody Allen, pictured far right

'And the argument, the false dichotomy of pushing British people against foreigners, or shirkers against strivers, it's a false argument.

'And it allows other people who have certain interests to get away with it.

'The argument needs to be, "What is our government doing for people in our own country?"'

Sheen has one daughter Lily Mo, now 16, whom he had with ex-partner Kate Beckinsale, 42.

The couple split up in 2003 after she began a relationship with Len Wiseman, who was directing the pair of them in horror thriller Underworld.

Despite the break-up, Sheen remains on good terms with both and went on to appear in the Underworld sequel, also directed by Wiseman.

He later dated Mean Girls and The Notebook star Rachel McAdams between 2010 and 2013 before starting a relationship with Silverman.

Sheen visits the UK frequently and reserved special praise for the people of Port Talbot in Wales, where the actor grew up, during his time on the broadcast.

He said: 'The people of this country are amazing. They are an amazing people, and no matter what the challenges are, their spirit comes through, and that's nowhere more so than in Port Talbot.

'That's what has shaped me, I'm proud to come from that people.'