The Secret Millionaire

With the glitz and glamour of Strictly and the over hyped, over produced X Factor dominating our Saturday and Sunday nights, the return of The Secret Millionaire provides a welcome break, which presents a true emotional journey.

As always, the show has made me smile and well up simultaneously. I don't know if it's the fact that this first episode is set in a place I have lived for four years, and in turn dealt with things I have experienced for myself, but I was incredibly moved by the stories told this week.

The brilliance about The Secret Millionaire is that it gives you the chance to see how the other half live, both halves. Not only do we get an insight into the lives of a millionaire, watching them cope with a situation far removed from the norm, and in most cases facing some of the demons from their past, but we are also forced to confront some of the issues we may choose to ignore in our own lives.

But the real stars of this show are the amazing, selfless individuals and organisations that the Millionaires go to visit. To see the work that they do puts things into perspective, but to see just how much the donations they are given mean to them is truly touching. This is feel good television at some of its best.

The only addition I would make to this programme is an opportunity for us viewers to make their contribution; the organisations and volunteers featured tonight were right on my doorstep and I didn't even know they existed. I think C4 would do well give us the chance to give something ourselves, and help continue the work that the Millionaires have helped to fund. (The fact that the Talbot House website appears to have crashed suggests an influx of people wanting to find out more about Bernie & the charity).

This show fantastically exhibits and rewards the work of so many unsung heroes and how the work they do effects the lives of so many others. The X Factor contestants talk about it being a life changing experience - they should give this programme a watch and find out what a life changing experience actually entails.

The Secret Millionaire is on Sundays @ 9.00PM, Channel 4.