Actor Brian Cox has expressed his anger about the level of poverty in Dundee – describing it as “f****** painful”.
The Succession star has visited the city he grew up in as part of a new Channel 5 documentary about wealth.
And in a preview of the show, the 76-year-old is seen speaking to people affected by the rising cost of living – and addressing his childhood living in hardship – saying money remains a “demon” in his life.
The clip, shared by Channel 5 ahead of the first of two episodes being broadcast on Thursday night, shows Cox revealing how he is the first person in his family to make a decent living.
The Hollywood actor, who was the youngest of five children, says: “Times were tough here for me and my family in the 1950s and 60s, no question.
“Probably I’m the first person in my family that has ever really earned any money. Nobody earned money.
“Nothing could have been as tough as living here when I was a child.
“Being plunged into poverty affects me to this day. We were left destitute, really destitute.
‘Money is a demon in my life’
“It’s a demon in my life, you know, money. As I got older there was always that cloud.
“Now… I’m in a position where I’m doing better than I’ve ever done in my career and I’m making money as an actor, I’m doing incredibly well. But it’s still there.”
Cox is seen visiting Lochee Community Larder, which receives donations of surplus goods from supermarkets that are then passed on to struggling locals.
One volunteer tells Cox: “There was a clear gap, that people weren’t entitled to any more foodbanks but they couldn’t afford to go to normal supermarkets.”
A woman who is visiting the larder shares her story with Cox, saying she works part-time but still cannot afford necessities.
Dundee goes ‘full circle’ on poverty
She says: “My electricity has gone up from £44 a month to £170. It really is hard going.
“We prioritise our children and go without. I think that’s what all adults and parents are doing just now really, isn’t it?”
The actor brands the rise in bills “astronomical”.
WARNING: The following clip contains language some readers may find offensive.
📺 New to @channel5_tv Thursday 9pm – How The Other Half Live With Brian Cox
In this powerful and moving documentary, actor Brian Cox returns to his home city #Dundee to examine the wealth divide, and finds many families unable to afford basic necessities. #HowTheOtherHalfLive pic.twitter.com/dm47KSHMAx
— Channel 5 (@channel5_tv) November 16, 2022
Clearly angered by what he has seen, Cox then tells viewers: “It’s shocking how Dundee’s gone pretty much full circle, getting back to the poverty I saw as a kid.
“It’s extremely painful this stuff, you know. It’s painful for anybody, if you’ve got any sensibility at all.
“This stuff is f****** painful. And I find it really difficult.”
- How the Other Half Live airs on Channel 5 at 9pm on Thursday November 17 and Thursday November 24.
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