- 1 day ago
channel shows All American
https://www.dailymotion.com/Filmoraq
https://t.me/TopFilmUSA1
https://www.dailymotion.com/Filmoraq
https://t.me/TopFilmUSA1
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Millions of people who could work trapped on benefits and taxpayers paying millions more on
00:12the costs of failure. Benefits are back on the agenda and there's one woman who repeatedly
00:18finds herself in the media glare surrounding this emotive topic. It does get a lot easier
00:25to climb, child after child after child. It's just climb, climb, climb, climb, climb.
00:31So I am on my way to go and meet a woman called Marie. Now, Marie has been sort of dubbed
00:37the benefits queen. She's been quite vocal in the past in terms of what she's spent some of that money
00:44on. You know, I feel really passionate about this subject. I, for years when I was a kid,
00:50I was brought up on benefits. Since grabbing the headlines over a decade ago,
00:55the mum of eight has become a tabloid and TV staple. I'm not going to work because why should I put my
01:01kids in childcare from six in the morning till six at night? Her unapologetic stance keeping her firmly
01:07in the spotlight. She's become a bit of a punching bag and a bit of a poster girl for somebody claiming
01:15benefits and people aren't overly sympathetic. Public scrutiny reached boiling point when she
01:22spoke openly to the press and ITV's flagship this morning about her spending habits.
01:29A horse isn't a very expensive animal to keep. This is going to cost you three or four thousand
01:33pounds at least a year. I thought it all. I'm still focused. I'm doing it.
01:38Despite brutal backlash, Marie continues to court publicity.
01:42Why does she constantly do the media circuits? Because you would just predict backlash, wouldn't
01:50you? You know, you read these headlines and you may think you have a very definite idea
01:57of who this woman is and what she's about, but I just think it's probably more complicated than that.
02:02I'll be spending the weekend with Marie and seven of her kids in their council house on the outskirts
02:09of Birmingham. When Stacey comes and stops the weekend with me and my tribe, shall I say,
02:15I want her just to see what it's like. I'm just going to have a sleepover.
02:29Hi, Marie. I'm Stacey. How are you?
02:37How are you? All right, thank you. Nice to meet you. Am I right to come in?
02:40Yes, of course. Thank you. Oh, sorry. Come in, baby.
02:42Let's go. Come on. What's it? Is it a girl?
02:44Girl. What's she called?
02:45Pepper. Hi, Pepper.
02:46She's thinking, what have you got for me?
02:49Oh. How's things, Marie? All right. Yeah, not too bad.
02:53Thank you for having me. That's all right.
02:55You just got one dog? Two. Oh, yeah.
02:57Yeah, two. What's the other one called?
02:59A scruffy. There you go.
03:00And a cat over here. Yeah, and four kittens.
03:03Oh, my word.
03:06God, they're brand new, aren't they? They are.
03:08Look outside. Yeah.
03:11You're from Birmingham and you brought your kids up in this house.
03:15I did, yeah. Can you talk me through the ages of your kids?
03:18Raging between 23 and 11.
03:20It's a nightmare. I can imagine.
03:21It's an absolute nightmare.
03:23I can imagine it's pretty non-stop.
03:24It is. It is.
03:25Yeah, where will I sleep, Marie?
03:27Erm... The living room?
03:28Is that a possibility? Yeah, that'd be fine.
03:30So kind. No. Thank you.
03:32The kids won't mind, no? No. Fine. No.
03:34Great. All right. No.
03:35Well, I'm made up. Thank you so much for having me.
03:37No, it's lovely. Cool.
03:38Can I have a quick nose round?
03:39Of course. Is that all right?
03:41Yeah. I'll follow you.
03:43So, how many bedrooms have you got, Marie?
03:44Oh, this is a full bed.
03:46OK. So, they are tiny rooms.
03:49So, the kids are sharing?
03:50Yep. Well, Josh has got his own.
03:53Leah's got hers.
03:54So, she's only got one lad?
03:55Yep. Seven girls, one boy?
03:57Yep. It's so outnumbered.
03:59You've got me and two of the girls in this one.
04:02So, you share.
04:03And then Leah's in this one.
04:07Oi.
04:09OK.
04:10Erm, majority of them are in their rooms.
04:13They don't want to be filmed.
04:14Is that all right?
04:15Can't listen. Thank you.
04:17Marie, I'll be led by you. We're in your house.
04:19So, Marie has just explained there that the kids would prefer not to be the focus,
04:25which, listen, I totally, totally respect and, like, I get it.
04:30They're entitled to, you know, decide whether or not they want to be involved
04:34in a conversation that is so emotional for lots of people.
04:40And it's not, like, my style at all to, like, lay on the hard sell.
04:45So, me and you, a girls weekend?
04:48Yes.
04:49Whoa.
04:50Let's go.
04:51To give the kids some space, I've suggested Marie and I head into town
04:57so we can speak openly about the media circus that surrounds her.
05:02After you, Marie.
05:03OK.
05:06Oh, no.
05:07Marie first hit the headlines when she spoke out against the 2013 benefits cap,
05:13which reduced her annual income by £6,000.
05:16So, how long have you been on benefits? How many years?
05:21From my first daughter, so I was 19.
05:23OK. Over 20 years?
05:25Yeah.
05:26Has there ever been a period in your life when you haven't had to rely on the benefits?
05:30When I was working.
05:32I mean, I worked at a school, in a school kitchen.
05:35I worked at the villa ground.
05:37So, you've worked?
05:38Yeah.
05:39How much do you get monthly, benefits-wise?
05:42It's about £1,200 now.
05:44OK.
05:45With that, they have to take out water, rent.
05:48I had a loan off them.
05:50So, you've taken loans out as well?
05:51Yeah.
05:52So, after all of those outgoings, you're left with how much?
05:57Not a lot.
05:59But by her own admission, over the years,
06:02Marie has splurged on more extravagant treats.
06:06Have you ever had anything done to your vagina?
06:08Oh, a bit of laser.
06:11So, just what, laser?
06:12Laser, yeah.
06:13Oh, fine.
06:14So, that's not really a designer vagina.
06:15No, it's not.
06:16I don't think I could ever do that.
06:18What have been your sort of biggest, biggest purchases?
06:22Boob job.
06:22Yeah.
06:23Yeah.
06:24And where did you get your boobs done?
06:25Here?
06:26Istanbul.
06:27Oh, you went to Turkey?
06:27Yeah.
06:28How much, all in all, do you think that trip to Turkey cost you?
06:31It cost me around £2,500.
06:33And how did you find that money?
06:35I was doing car boots.
06:37I was working as a carer.
06:39Did you use some of the benefit money towards that?
06:43I did.
06:44Probably around £800.
06:46There'll be people watching this who leave the house at 7am,
06:50get back home at 7pm, and they haven't got 100 quid spare at the end of the month.
06:55Never mind sort of, you know, flying off to Turkey.
06:59I can understand people feeling furious.
07:02You know what, I look back now and I think, what a fool.
07:05Should never have done it, any of it.
07:07It's just like I'm rubbing it in people's faces.
07:10Thank you so much.
07:12I am.
07:13Good lady.
07:15I'm not suggesting that she's behaved brilliantly and, you know,
07:18everything she's done has been right.
07:20But I think what's worth bearing in mind is she's, like, totally an open book.
07:26If you were stood here going, oh, you know, Stace, you're trying to justify it,
07:29you know, that's one thing.
07:31She just isn't.
07:32Like, she's full of regret and that's just not what I was expecting.
07:40It's clear Marie isn't proud about a lot of the media coverage.
07:44I wonder how the notoriety impacts her day-to-day.
07:47What are your neighbours like?
07:48What do they make of, you know, your reputation?
07:51Oh, there, you've got it there.
07:57When we moved here, I think everyone was a bit shocked.
08:01And, like, with the press hanging around and things like that,
08:03you know, when you get them hanging around, it's a juicy story.
08:06So do pats tend to sit outside the house sometimes?
08:08Yeah, yeah.
08:11Right, what do you need?
08:13We need an onion.
08:14What are you making for your dinner?
08:15Er, chicken curry today.
08:17Nice!
08:17Yeah.
08:19And your family, the older kids that are still living with you,
08:23so are they working?
08:24Er, the second eldest is, yeah.
08:27Yeah.
08:27She's working.
08:28The other two, well, one's study, just studying.
08:30Your kids, if any of them, claim benefits?
08:33Yeah, universal credit.
08:34Fine.
08:35Are you happy?
08:36Do you need anything else?
08:37No, that'll do.
08:41See ya!
08:42Are you all right?
08:43It's just the, um, little comments you hear.
08:46What did they say?
08:47Oh, there's her again.
08:49As we're leaving the shop, Marie asks us to stop filming
08:53and excuses herself to head home.
08:56There's two girls in there, women, young women,
08:59just sort of being a bit catty or whatever about Marie.
09:05And now I think Marie's just gone ahead.
09:10She's now, it's almost like a caricature, the welfare queen.
09:14And I think once you've been labelled something like that,
09:17everyone's so reactive.
09:23Having asked for time away from the cameras,
09:25now back home with a friend,
09:27Marie has messaged me to say she's happy to resume filming.
09:30Oh, she can see.
09:34I'll have to walk through it.
09:35No, don't worry.
09:36Are you all right?
09:36You're cool.
09:37Yeah, no, I felt a bit dark, didn't I?
09:38Are you OK?
09:39I feel like, yeah, I'm all right.
09:40Anxiety, all sorts of things.
09:41Yeah, it is, isn't it?
09:42Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
09:43She's come in and she's literally shaking.
09:44So, do you live on this road?
09:45Yeah, I do.
09:46Oh, so you're a neighbour as well?
09:47Yeah, I'm a neighbour.
09:48Yeah, yeah.
09:48I've known her years, yeah.
09:50I met her on the school playground.
09:51What did they say?
09:53Oh, there's her again.
09:54Really?
09:54What, them two girls?
09:56Oh, OK.
09:57Did they now?
09:58Them two girls?
09:59I know which ones you mean.
10:00I think it's because it's a local shop as well.
10:03And I obviously do worry where I live.
10:06Death threats and everything.
10:07I mean, there's a red flag on this property for the police.
10:11What does that mean?
10:11It's got a crime number.
10:12So, if there was any incident at this property,
10:15I do worry sometimes.
10:16I don't want the kids to do it.
10:17Yeah, of course.
10:18But, erm...
10:19Yeah, let's go.
10:20Yeah.
10:20It's like the whole street sometimes, just against you.
10:27So, it's obvious sort of where your loyalties lie,
10:29but you aren't daft.
10:31You must hear what people say.
10:33Of course, yeah, you do.
10:34Well, I understand that these people don't necessarily know
10:37what's going on in people's lives.
10:38And to have eight children and they're beautiful children,
10:41they've got manners, they're clean, they're educated.
10:44Anyone with sense would know that they've got a very good mother.
10:48I think they think you've got skin like a rhino, you know?
10:51Yeah, I haven't.
10:52Well, you know, clearly you're visibly shaken.
10:57I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were quite so anxious.
11:00Yeah.
11:01I had underestimated how vilified you are.
11:03The warrior...
11:04At least you get to see it for yourself now.
11:06Yeah.
11:06So, she can't even go to the local shop.
11:09Yeah.
11:18So, do you want to help?
11:22Yeah, I can.
11:23OK.
11:24Oh, nice.
11:27You delegate.
11:28You be head chef, I'm sous chef.
11:30OK.
11:31After seeing firsthand how Marie's reputation affects her private life,
11:36I wonder what she hopes to gain from her ongoing relationship with the media.
11:40The whole today, it's a bit like, wow, this is overwhelming.
11:45And am I waking up something that I shouldn't be waking up?
11:48Should I continue? Should I not continue?
11:50What makes you anxious about, you know, having the cameras in and...
11:54It's the outside.
11:55Don't make their own judgement.
11:56In a way, I wish I'd ever contacted the paper all them years ago.
12:00Cos of what they print, I mean, the sun, they did a nasty one of me.
12:04They said, you know, we're going to get you a hotel for the night,
12:07we're going to pamper you.
12:08Not a good story at all.
12:10I mean, do you get paid for these articles?
12:11Son, I've got £200.
12:13Was there ever a period where you couldn't stop caught in the chaos?
12:18I mean, I've done this morning five times now, I've been on there.
12:21Have you?
12:21Yeah, five times.
12:22But why did you keep coming back?
12:24I don't know, I think because something would come out in the press
12:28and be like, OK, I need to have my say on live TV.
12:30Right.
12:30But I never got my say because of the questions that were being asked.
12:33Yeah, that's interesting.
12:36That pepper's not going to cook itself.
12:37That pepper isn't going to cut itself.
12:39You're absolutely right.
12:40No, totally fair enough.
12:41On the last one, I did say no more media and this is where I am again.
12:45Why did you agree to this weekend?
12:48Well, I thought it's, I can get my voice across
12:51the whole situation through the years.
12:53And that's a good thing, positive.
12:54Yeah.
12:55I know this pepper's an absolute joke, I know.
12:57I'm like, I really apologise.
12:59Oh, there you go.
13:01That's beautiful, that, isn't it?
13:07You can see why I've never done MasterChef, eh?
13:09I just know how those tabloids behave.
13:15They won't be coming in going, we're going to write a contentious piece.
13:20They're going, we want to give you the opportunity to get your voice heard.
13:24That's the pitch.
13:24And so she started thinking, this is really exciting.
13:28Oh, my God, you know.
13:29And then it's kind of, it's kind of grown legs.
13:32And if you, you kind of sign up to that, you just, you can't win.
13:44Whilst most of Marie's kids are upstairs,
13:47her youngest Olivia is keen to be included and has joined us for dinner.
13:51Oh, you dream. Thank you, sweetheart.
13:55Wow, my God.
14:01This isn't a lady who is living an overly, like, extravagant, fancy life.
14:09Arguably quite the opposite.
14:12You're expecting someone to present a certain way and then,
14:16actually, in your experience, they're not that person at all.
14:21And I do just, I feel quite strongly that
14:25the tabloids have sort of made an example of her
14:28and then have sort of thrown her out and left her to it.
14:33OK, Stacey. Thanks, love.
14:34OK, love.
14:40I can't tell you how allergic I am to cats.
14:42My chest is already oh so tight.
14:48I do need to get rid of this cat.
14:50Look at this.
14:52I'm going to have to ask Marie to get this cat out,
14:54because I'll, literally, I won't make it through the night.
14:57Right, Marie, do you need anything out of here?
14:59Yeah, we need the cats out.
15:00Cat out.
15:01Go out for a little bit.
15:02Go on.
15:02Right, night, girls.
15:03Night, guys.
15:09Do you know what?
15:10No, get out.
15:11Now I'm serious.
15:13Come on.
15:13Woo hoo.
15:15Shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo, shoo.
15:21That cat's going to give me hassle all night.
15:23It's back.
15:29No.
15:29Right, get here.
15:31Shoo.
15:41Oh, my God.
15:43I love it when you wake me up like this.
15:45It's my favourite part of the sleep so far.
15:48There's that cat.
15:50There he is.
15:51She is.
15:53I don't ever want to hear ever again.
15:58Do you really stay over?
16:01Babe, I really stay over.
16:06Is he moving?
16:07He's moving, isn't he?
16:08He's...
16:09No, yeah, he is.
16:10He's moved.
16:10Yeah, his ears have just twitched.
16:13You don't have to spend long with Marie to see she's got a real
16:16affinity with animals.
16:18Pat, are you OK, Patch?
16:19Patch.
16:20Can you see beyond?
16:20Yeah, yeah, yeah.
16:21But her decision to add a horse to the mix back in 2017 unleashed quite the public outcry.
16:31Marie has since sold the horse, but to try and understand why she bought him, I've suggested
16:36a few hours at the stables.
16:37So we're off to ride a horse?
16:41We certainly are, yes.
16:42Number one animal.
16:43Come on.
16:43Sounds a bit of a good time for an hour, eh?
16:45Yes.
16:46OK, let's ride a horse.
16:49Ah, that smell, love it.
16:51I mean, look at that, you don't get that where we live.
16:53Stunning, isn't it?
16:54Beautiful.
16:55Hi.
16:55Are you OK?
16:57How are you?
16:57I'm good, thank you.
16:58Are you?
16:59So we've got Daphne and Luna.
17:02Oh, they are just so gorgeous, aren't they?
17:04Aww.
17:05And this one's Luna.
17:07Yeah.
17:07Luna, you look like you're off to the Met Gala in this headpiece.
17:12But before getting into the saddle, I want to ask Marie about the horse she once owned.
17:17Tell me a bit about the horse that you once had.
17:22Oh, Jasper.
17:23I'd be down there for hours, just talking and grooming.
17:26That is my place that I love to be, but I couldn't keep up with the rent.
17:29I had to sell him off £100.
17:32It was a shame.
17:33So how much was Jasper when you bought him?
17:35500, he was.
17:36That's a lot of money.
17:37Do you know, like loan sharks and things like that.
17:39I was getting loans like Provident, Shopper Check or using cash converters.
17:43But I have used some of that money, which is not good.
17:46The money that you got from the state?
17:49Yeah.
17:49Why do I do it?
17:50There's no answer for that.
17:51If you stop buying daft stuff, people...
17:54Might respect me a little bit more.
17:56You know, you're not this, like, despicable person.
18:00You're just not.
18:00Yeah.
18:04Do you want to try, leader?
18:05OK.
18:05If you stand on the left, that's it, there you go.
18:08Ready?
18:09Let's go.
18:10Just give them a little squeeze with your heel.
18:12That's it, there you go.
18:14And a click with your voice, they do respond to that too.
18:16So when was the last time you were on a horse?
18:22It was about four years ago.
18:24Would you like to try a little trot in a little bit?
18:27Sure, why not?
18:28I know.
18:29We'll walk.
18:30You can just walk if you want to.
18:31That's fine.
18:33Wow.
18:33Sit and stand up, down, up, down.
18:36Push up through your knees.
18:37Wow, Stacey!
18:38My foot, turn up!
18:40My foot, turn up!
18:41Woo!
18:41Woo!
18:42Woo!
18:43And back to...
18:44How you done?
18:45Woo!
18:45Good job.
18:47So, Marie, how are you feeling?
18:49I'm all right.
18:49The nerves have gone a little bit.
18:51That's it, isn't it?
18:52Yeah.
18:52It's always just getting back on and getting back up, I suppose.
18:56I don't know why I'm talking like I'm some kind of equestrian, but...
18:59Imagine living this life.
19:00I know.
19:01Isn't it beautiful?
19:01It is.
19:02It is.
19:03That was amazing.
19:04It was, therapeutic.
19:05But then you have to go back to reality, that's the only downfall.
19:09Daphne, you're as good as gold.
19:12This is your happy place?
19:13It is my happy place, it is.
19:16I'm pleased that we came down.
19:19And me, yeah.
19:19You all right?
19:20Yeah, I'm all right.
19:21I'm OK.
19:21I don't want you to get upset.
19:22No, I'm OK.
19:22Really?
19:23Yeah.
19:24Why don't we go and have a cup of tea?
19:26Yeah.
19:28Let's do that.
19:28Yeah?
19:29Mm-hm.
19:29OK.
19:30OK, let's get a cuppa.
19:32Shall we take that off?
19:33It's felt really emotional.
19:41Sensing Maria's having a hard time again, back at hers, we sit down for a chat.
19:47Where are you now?
19:49How are you feeling?
19:51I'm OK.
19:51I'm on quite a lot of medication at the moment, so I'm on like eight different tablets a day.
19:56Bloody hell.
19:57Yeah.
19:57I didn't realise you'd been on medication.
20:00One for like panic attacks, one for anxiety, one for mood stabiliser, one for depression.
20:07How long have you been on medication?
20:08Um, it's kind of been about eight years.
20:11And if you had like a professional diagnosis?
20:14Yes, bipolar.
20:15Yeah.
20:16Oh, boy.
20:16Yeah, that's why I'm on mood stabilisers.
20:19Oh, and when did you receive that?
20:21I was taken into hospital.
20:25Marie?
20:25Yeah.
20:26I didn't know this.
20:26Yeah, that's what I mean.
20:28It was a struggle.
20:29Don't even want to cry, but nobody sees that.
20:32No, obviously they're seeing the ambulance turn up.
20:34Were you sectioned?
20:35Yeah.
20:35Where are you, Marie?
20:36Yeah.
20:37Yeah, I was in there for some time.
20:39With bipolar, you're high.
20:41That's when I bought the horse.
20:42When I went to the doctors to have a review of the mental health team, he goes,
20:47has anything changed?
20:48He said, yep, I bought a horse.
20:50He said you bought a horse, a real horse.
20:52I said, yeah.
20:53And then...
20:55The days where you're down.
20:56Your best friend could be knocking on the door.
20:57You don't want to open it.
21:00You don't want to see anybody.
21:02Look at that, Stace.
21:03You're starting me again, you are.
21:05I've spent a lot of time in mental health hospitals,
21:08and I witnessed what you would have went through.
21:11It's rough sometimes.
21:12Yeah. It's really hard.
21:13Life is tough, Stace.
21:15It really is.
21:16That's why I need a focus.
21:17What is my focus?
21:18I don't know, because I'm completely lost.
21:23Yep.
21:29Sleepsovers are so beneficial.
21:32You've no idea what someone's been through, and Marie has been through it.
21:37Met people who have bipolar, and, you know, something that's synonymous with that
21:43can be, like, impulsive behaviour.
21:47So I do think that needs to be taken into account when you have a very definite opinion
21:51of who she is and what she's about.
22:09Off we go. Thank you.
22:10Have you got your keys?
22:11All right.
22:12My favourite party trick is leaving my keys in the house.
22:17This afternoon, I'm joining Marie for a trip to the food bank.
22:22It's only down here.
22:23Oh, OK.
22:23Yeah, it's not far.
22:25Run by Bishop Desmond Jadu, it's a service many locals depend upon.
22:32Marie, how often are you having to rely on the food bank?
22:36At least once a week, because you get, like, unexpected bills, like everybody does.
22:40Yeah.
22:41But I did feel quite embarrassed using them.
22:44But it's everyday life now.
22:45That's how we're going to live.
22:47Some good food on here, though.
22:49Hello.
22:50Hi.
22:50How are you?
22:51Not too bad.
22:52You know one another?
22:53Yes.
22:54Acquaintances?
22:55Pals?
22:56We know each other.
22:57Pals? Sad pals, yeah.
22:58You could say pals, yeah.
22:59Marie talks to me.
23:00Yeah?
23:01Because I'm a bishop, Marie will speak to me when things aren't going so right.
23:06Yep.
23:07Marie comes down and helps out sometimes, as well.
23:10So you volunteer sometimes?
23:11Yeah.
23:11Yeah?
23:12When did you go?
23:13You're the wrong side of this team.
23:14I better get over there.
23:15Yeah, yeah, yeah.
23:15Some potatoes?
23:16Please, yep.
23:18So I'll give you six of them.
23:19OK, thank you.
23:21I should give you a couple more, actually.
23:22You should give her eight, really.
23:23Yeah.
23:24You know, some people used to say you don't want to work and you're lazy.
23:27She's not lazy.
23:28She puts her time in.
23:29Can you understand, you know, some people who are working tirelessly, feeling slightly
23:35cheated, that they're in a worse off position financially than some people who don't work?
23:42If there is opportunity, then that argument would hold water.
23:47Right.
23:47We're in an area where there was about 150,000 people working per day.
23:52Just over the back there where you see those houses, that's the old Lucas's plant.
23:56They employed about 20,000 people locally.
23:59Just over the other side there, you had Ansell's Brewery, six and a half thousand people.
24:03You had HP Source that employed three and a half thousand people.
24:06So that's 30,000 people.
24:09Today, the industry is not here.
24:11So where are the jobs?
24:13Yeah.
24:13And you have to take all of that into consideration, don't you?
24:16I think one of the things is with eight children, it's very difficult to manage a nine to five.
24:22I can't imagine that.
24:23I mean, I struggle juggling work and I've got one daughter.
24:27Yep.
24:28There we go.
24:28Thank you very much.
24:29There you are.
24:31Nice to meet you.
24:32Thank you very much.
24:33It's hard to deny the challenges of working as a mum of eight.
24:38But it's Marie's decision to have such a large family that critics take umbrage with.
24:43I know this has been sort of thrown at you before.
24:46You chose to have lots of children so that you would be entitled to more benefits.
24:52I wanted a big family.
24:53Tell me about that.
24:56That's going back to my childhood.
24:58My nan had 14.
24:59Did she?
24:59Yeah, she had 14 children.
25:01What is it that you find so appealing about, you know, a big family like to kids?
25:05It's just the love that's in the household.
25:07They're always around me, the kids, but hopefully not be like me.
25:11So, I mean, what do you want for the kids?
25:13I want good things to happen for them.
25:15I want to be career focused, you know.
25:17You do?
25:18Yeah, I mean, they did well in the GCSEs.
25:20I can't say the same.
25:21Yeah, I can't.
25:22I've got no GCSEs.
25:23I'm useless.
25:24Yeah.
25:24But I never went to school.
25:26Why?
25:26Just didn't go to school.
25:27Truant.
25:28Suppose it's the environment I'm around as well.
25:31But my eights are going to hopefully put back into the system.
25:35Will we make a move?
25:36Yeah.
25:38Do you want me to take one here?
25:39Here I am.
25:41How daft are you, Marie?
25:44Take the heavy one, Stacey.
25:45Take the heavy one, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:47Actually, it won't do me any harm.
25:48I've got a bit of training.
25:55Hi, Deb.
25:55Hello.
25:59With Marie's youngest back from school, I'm keen to see how she's getting on.
26:04Hi, Stacey.
26:04Hi.
26:06How are you?
26:07I'm good.
26:08And you, obviously, you're happy to be on camera.
26:11You feel OK about that?
26:12That's fine, yeah.
26:13Yeah, yeah, yeah.
26:14How was school?
26:15Really good.
26:16Yeah?
26:17What was she doing?
26:18Er, we did...
26:20What did we do?
26:20We did a test for SAT next week.
26:22Oh.
26:23Er, we did a maths test.
26:24Er, and then we did art and then PE.
26:28Er, so tell me about your mum.
26:30Nice, kind...
26:31I don't know what I have to say.
26:34And it sounds like it's a full house, Olivia, because there's seven of you living here.
26:39What's that like?
26:40It's stressful, but I do like having lots of siblings to talk to about just random stuff
26:44and stuff.
26:45Yeah, yeah.
26:46I bet there's never a dull moment.
26:48I think it's as well, like, you know, in years and years and years and years to come,
26:52they will always have, like...
26:54Yeah, each other.
26:55..a massive family unit.
26:56Mm.
26:57So thank you, Mum.
26:59All right.
27:01It's OK.
27:04Lovely.
27:05My thoughts on Marie are actually, I sort of, I've enjoyed her company.
27:16Er, two subtract two, zero.
27:19So I get one off that.
27:21And I think critics of Marie would say, well, you know, there you go, it's kind of intergenerational.
27:27I don't think it's a given that, you know, you're just going to follow in your parents' footsteps.
27:32I think that's a really daft assumption.
27:34He pays with a £5 note, how much change does Jack have?
27:38So three, nine, nine.
27:43You know, my mum was so reliant on benefits for such a long time.
27:46She deserved them.
27:47And then, you know, neither me or my sister, we've been really fortunate and we've always worked.
27:52So he has bag A and bag C.
27:55So add these together.
27:56Add them together.
27:57Not that.
27:58OK.
28:05Should both come, big brother.
28:07Marie, I cannot think of anything worse.
28:11Oh, love island?
28:14I've got boyfriend and a child, Marie.
28:15Oh, my God.
28:15I'd have me bergy jeans on and no tits.
28:18Who's going to go for me and love island?
28:25Marie seems in better spirits.
28:27And tonight we're hooking up with her friend and neighbour Laverne, who I met yesterday.
28:33OK, I'm ready.
28:35Bye.
28:36We're picking up your pal on the way.
28:39Yes.
28:40Love the dress, Marie.
28:42Oh, stoppy.
28:44OK, let's go.
28:45Here she is.
28:49She's here.
28:49Oh, thanks.
28:50Hello, Stacey.
28:51Come on in.
28:52How's things?
28:52Ah, you're really good, thank you.
28:54You look lovely.
28:54Thank you so much.
28:55Are you ready for the nighter?
28:57I'm very ready, actually.
28:58I'm actually so dull.
28:59I don't really booze.
29:01Somehow I can stay up and do an all-nighter.
29:03Oh, wicked.
29:03OK, go wild.
29:04Get loose.
29:05Oh, God.
29:06Right, let's do it.
29:07Let's go, girls.
29:09Why do I just...
29:10I think...
29:11Do you feel nervous?
29:12Yeah, why do I feel like something bad's gonna happen?
29:15Oh, no.
29:16I don't know why.
29:16Do you?
29:17Don't put that out there, Marie.
29:19Nothing bad's gonna happen.
29:20No, well, no.
29:20Same positivity, good things are happening.
29:22Correct.
29:26Don't worry, breathe.
29:28Do you get, like, social anxiety?
29:29I do.
29:30I don't like being in crowded places.
29:32Just overwhelming, isn't it?
29:33You feel like you're gonna have a panic attack.
29:35OK.
29:36You start hyperventilating, you start sweating.
29:39Why do you feel nervous?
29:40I don't know.
29:41I think I just need a fresh start.
29:43OK.
29:44And what would that fresh start look like for you?
29:47First of all, a move and just shut off all social media.
29:50That's what I'm willing to do.
29:51You do.
29:51Shut it all off, yeah, so nobody can contact me.
29:53So, let's just say, turn off all your social media
29:56and then just somehow, I don't know, loose women call you in
30:01and say, we want to see how you're getting on.
30:02That's the thing, isn't it?
30:03Would you go?
30:04I keep going back for more.
30:05That's my problem.
30:07I keep going back for more.
30:08It's like a bit of an addiction.
30:10You worry you're addicted to the attention.
30:13It's not the attention, it's more of who I'm gonna meet.
30:15OK.
30:17I mean, when her name came up, it was like, wow.
30:20Opportunities, that makes sense.
30:21Stacey?
30:22That makes sense.
30:22It's because of where we're coming from.
30:23So, meeting people who are successful is a big thing to people like me and you.
30:27Because you just have that hopeful feeling like something good's happening in my life, isn't it?
30:30Mm-hmm.
30:31And you're addicted to that emotion because there's so many bad things that happen.
30:35Yeah.
30:36Do you feel protective of Marie?
30:38I do.
30:38Yeah, because she's your mate.
30:39Very protective, yeah.
30:40And there's all of these scathing articles during the rounds.
30:43Very protective.
30:44And one, as a woman, woman to woman.
30:46Two, as a mother, I believe that it should be a woman's right, a mother's right,
30:50if they want to be a stay-at-home mum or if they want to go and be career mums,
30:54and that's okay as well.
30:56But I do think time will tell, and I always say that, keep your head up,
30:59because the way you're raising your children, you've got some very smart children there,
31:03and they're going to grow up and make you very proud.
31:05And, you know, people are going to be like, you know what, I had her wrong.
31:09We all need a Laverne.
31:11You're like the perfect height woman.
31:13So considered and so measured.
31:15The past couple of days have made me really think.
31:17Okay.
31:18I'm thankful for what you've done since you've been stopping over, you know.
31:23I think I understand what she's trying to say.
31:24Are you trying to say something because it's a bit of closure for you?
31:27I don't want to meet any more celebs.
31:28Is this like, yeah, you're going to be telling your grandchildren.
31:32I've had all the experience.
31:33And I met Stacey and that was it, that's when I knew.
31:35That was enough.
31:36Yeah.
31:37Okay, no more.
31:37Yeah.
31:39Fair enough.
31:39Fair enough.
31:40Oh, God.
31:41She has made me think.
31:43She really has.
31:43What has she made you think?
31:44Think what?
31:45Just she's so, she's a hard worker, she's a grafter.
31:48Oh, so you're inspired by her.
31:51I am very inspired.
31:52I'm trying to, I'm trying to better myself.
31:55I think it's about time to get back to work, I think.
31:57Cheers.
31:58Cheers, girls.
31:58Cheers.
31:59Good plan.
32:00Salud.
32:01Salud.
32:01Salud.
32:05When you've got, you know, this morning calling you up and the sun,
32:09you know, sliding into the end, and even in her mind, like, this is game over,
32:14I think if, you know, a show picked up the phone and said, oh, you know, Ray, we'd love
32:19to hear from you, I think she'd find it difficult to turn them down.
32:23Is that OK, are you going to bed?
32:32Yeah.
32:33Yeah.
32:34Yeah.
32:35Brilliant.
32:36Did you have fun?
32:37See you mañana.
32:38See you in the morning.
32:39Oh, see you in the morning.
32:41Mañana.
32:42Take a night, Scra.
32:43Night, Scra.
32:44She's like, Mum, what is going on?
32:48Bye.
32:49See you.
32:51Bye.
32:52It was just to keep the cat out.
32:58So, the general vibe I'm getting is that, you know, she's desperate for change, she wants
33:07to shake off this image, this title, but if she says that, you know, she's serious about
33:14changing things, she needs to be proactive and she needs to put things in place to do
33:19that.
33:20THEY CONTINUES
33:22THEY CONTINUES
33:24THEY CONTINUES
33:26THEY CONTINUES
33:28THEY CONTINUES
33:30THEY CONTINUES
33:32THEY CONTINUES
33:34THEY CONTINUES
33:35THEY CONTINUES
33:36THEY CONTINUES
33:37Morning, size.
33:38Marie!
33:39Do you know a wheel, actually?
33:42Yes, please. OK.
33:43Milk?
33:44Er, my posh milk that's on the side.
33:46OK.
33:47You wouldn't know there's eight kids in this house.
33:49My one child makes more noise than Marie's entire brood.
33:55It's my final morning,
33:57and whilst I've had a bit of a lie-in,
33:59Marie was up early and has come to a big decision.
34:03Very happy, guys. Can I hear it?
34:05Yeah.
34:06I'm excited.
34:07Yeah.
34:08I hope I find a job today.
34:10Interestingly, Marie is going to go and speak to someone
34:13about re-entering the workplace.
34:16OK.
34:17How could it be?
34:18Don't worry, Peppa.
34:19We'll be home soon.
34:22OK, baby.
34:25Today's meeting is with a local recruitment agency
34:28who helped fill roles across Birmingham.
34:31You know, hopefully you can help me.
34:33Yeah. Hopefully.
34:34And that's why they're there, innit?
34:35Yeah.
34:36It's one step forward, anyway.
34:37Yeah.
34:38Positive move.
34:39Yeah.
34:40We'll all have to start from scratch, I suppose.
34:44See, you're here and then you're gone.
34:46Yeah.
34:47Oh.
34:48Irish family, yeah.
34:50Irish family, yeah.
34:51There's got to be something more than benefits for the rest of your life.
34:55Got to be.
34:56I admire you.
34:57You built up everything on your own.
34:58Yeah.
34:59No, I did.
35:00But, you know, I've been so lucky and I'm so aware of that.
35:03But you put the hours in.
35:04I do, yeah.
35:05And you're still juggling a child as well.
35:07It's hard.
35:08That's what makes me feel a little bit like,
35:10Marie, come on, what are you doing?
35:13Well, no.
35:14What are you doing?
35:15Look, Marie, you're a single mum, I'm not.
35:17You know, my mum's very hands-on.
35:18Yeah.
35:19Kevin's parents are great.
35:25You got everything?
35:26I've got everything.
35:27Bit nervous, actually.
35:28Of course, yeah.
35:29Yeah.
35:30But that's to be expected.
35:31It's a new journey, isn't it?
35:32All I've ever known is kids.
35:33So the prospect feels quite daunting.
35:35Yeah.
35:36Is it this one?
35:37Yeah, we're here.
35:43Are we, Marie?
35:46Right.
35:47Come in.
35:48You OK, yeah?
35:49Yeah.
35:53Hiya, how are you going?
35:54OK, yes, thank you.
35:55Rhys, nice to meet you.
35:57Come in.
35:58Hello.
35:59You want to sit by me?
36:01Oh, OK.
36:02Yeah.
36:03Firstly, tell me just a little bit about yourself, personally.
36:08Just a mum of eight.
36:10What sort of age range?
36:1124 to 11.
36:13OK.
36:14When did you last work, Marie?
36:17As a carer, about seven years now.
36:20No.
36:21How long did you do that for?
36:23Around a year, I believe.
36:25But I was signed off sick, because I was also doing college as well.
36:28I was doing car mechanics also.
36:30OK.
36:31Along with that.
36:32So I think maybe I took too much on.
36:35Eight kids.
36:36Eight kids.
36:37You were caring for a year.
36:38Then doing car mechanics.
36:39What do you want to do?
36:40I do want to do...
36:41They're two completely different.
36:43Yeah, they are.
36:44They are.
36:45Fixed people, fixed cars.
36:46But it's like...
36:48I think the environment is definitely care work.
36:50Personally, I think going through an agency to get back into work will be the best thing
36:55for you.
36:56OK.
36:57Shall we get you signed up?
37:00We can sign you up today.
37:05I'll get one of the managers to get you signed up and registered to us.
37:10So, Jim Bobbs, are you able to come and register Marie for me, please?
37:16James is one of our managers here.
37:18Oh, yeah.
37:19Thanks for coming in.
37:21Are you registered with many other agencies?
37:24No.
37:25No.
37:26It's hard to know where to start, really, isn't it?
37:28Yeah, that's what I mean.
37:29I mean, in my gut, it's telling me...
37:32Not that I'm ready.
37:34Because I am struggling a little bit with mental health.
37:36I am.
37:37When he said there, should we get you signed up, there was slight hesitation.
37:40Yeah.
37:41And those feelings are completely normal.
37:43I don't know.
37:44It's all new.
37:45That's the thing.
37:46It's all just brand new.
37:47And it's like, wow.
37:48It's hard, man, when you're a single mum.
37:50The kids.
37:51All they've ever known is me at home.
37:53So, I think maybe something...
37:55If there was a working from home aspect, I think that would work quite well.
38:02Like, what do I do?
38:03Yeah.
38:04What are your reservations?
38:06I think it's because I've been locked away so long.
38:09To get, you know, meeting new people, you know...
38:13But it's your confidence, isn't it?
38:14Yeah, that's what it is.
38:15You've lost confidence.
38:16That's what it is.
38:17I have.
38:18You know your truth.
38:19You know what you want to do.
38:20But yeah, if you're happy to register your details, we'll be, yeah, delighted to have you on the system.
38:26Thank you for that.
38:28Did I go for it?
38:29It's up to you.
38:30Be led by you.
38:31Be totally led by you.
38:33Let's have a look.
38:34I think I'll sign it.
38:35Fab.
38:36There we go.
38:37Okie dokie.
38:38And I need a signature.
38:39Dice it at the bottom.
38:40So, you'll be good to go.
38:41And we're going to help you.
38:42You're determined.
38:43I am.
38:44I love a challenge.
38:45You've been so helpful.
38:46Thank you so much.
38:47Have you?
38:48I know where to come.
38:49Yeah.
38:50If TV goes tits up for me, I'd be a florist.
38:53Okay.
38:54I'd run like a luxe florist.
38:55Yeah.
38:56I thought that was a good backup option.
38:57Stasis poses.
38:58Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
38:59While this is a really positive step, I can see Marie feels out of her depth.
39:17You know, I was hesitant and I'm thinking, yeah, I could see.
39:21Why am I so hesitant when my goal is to do that?
39:25Not just to sit around and do nothing at all.
39:27You know what I mean?
39:28Are you doing it for you or are you doing it to say to everybody,
39:30Look, I'm working now.
39:31I'm not the baddie.
39:3250-50 again, yeah.
39:33I think it's for everybody else as well.
39:35Do you get, like, a lot of crap?
39:36Like, you know, a lot of hate?
39:38Yeah, of course.
39:39Yeah, of course.
39:40There's loads of people that think I am a total moron.
39:46Alright, it's Marie.
39:47Okay, darling.
39:48Let's see the guy.
39:51Okay.
39:52Oh, dear.
39:55Ah, my feline friend.
40:00You'll bring your old friend in here.
40:02Here.
40:03Here it is.
40:05Oh.
40:06Very little in Marie's life feels straightforward and I think she's always constantly aware of what outsiders are going to think and how she's going to be perceived at times.
40:18I think she wants to offer an answer that she thinks is, like, palatable and it's going to please those people that have been criticised now.
40:30Marie.
40:31This is a true story.
40:32There was this guy and he was so rude.
40:34He was like, you look like Stacey Dooley.
40:36I fucking can't stand her.
40:38Oh, my God, no.
40:39I was going, yeah, I'm not into it.
40:41Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
40:42And then he went, you're not her.
40:44Is it you?
40:45I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, that is me.
40:48He's like, oh, well, you know me, I'm a Yorkshire man.
40:50I'll say it how it is.
40:51Oh, no.
40:52I was like, babe, to be quite honest with you, I don't give a fuck what you think and you're not my demographic, so no-one cares.
40:59Like, he was so rude, but I just, it doesn't penetrate.
41:02I'm very lucky.
41:03It just doesn't bother me.
41:04Good, that's good.
41:05Because who cares what he thinks?
41:07Yeah.
41:08Who cares?
41:09Yes, I think.
41:10Not me.
41:11That's what you've got to think.
41:13It's almost time to head off.
41:15And while this weekend wasn't what I was expecting...
41:18So, yeah, it's just been me and Marie.
41:21It was Wrinkler Laverne.
41:25Part of me wonders if Marie and I would have gotten to know each other quite so well if the kids had been around more.
41:32Thank you for having me, really.
41:35Thanks for...
41:36I mean, I basically took over the entire living room.
41:39Oh, that's lovely.
41:40With that blow-up.
41:41It was lovely, guys.
41:42I didn't realise it would be quite so big.
41:43So big.
41:44It was growing and growing and growing.
41:46But I do, I appreciate you, you know, opening the door and having me over.
41:50I appreciate you coming.
41:52When your name came through, I thought this is a person to end it with.
41:56You know, we've all got a past, but you fully understand.
41:59And it's a privilege to have here.
42:01Come back in a year's time.
42:03Come back in a year...
42:04I bet I'm working in a year, I bet you.
42:05I'll probably have three jobs on the go.
42:07She's come from one extreme job.
42:09I know it's come from work.
42:10I can't meet your stay with somebody in overtime.
42:13Oh, I feel like I'm off.
42:18We can talk about the welfare state.
42:20Of course we can, we should.
42:21You know, we can have grown-up conversations,
42:23but everybody just needs to be a bit more considered
42:26and a lot less hysterical and, like, not tear chunks out of somebody
42:30who has had a very difficult time for a very long time.
42:33Right, Peppa, good news, I'm off.
42:36I think, you know, the way people have been portrayed over the years
42:41has been really irresponsible, actually, a lot of the time.
42:45And it's been made by people who work in television
42:47and have no real idea of what it means to survive of benefits.
42:52Marie, thank you.
42:53OK, love.
42:54Thank you so, so much.
42:56Excuse me.
42:57Come on.
42:59Come on.
43:00Oh, here we...
43:01You know...
43:02You know who's checking I'm leaving?
43:04This one.
43:05Oh, the black and white one here, yeah.
43:07Right, Marie, look after yourself.
43:08Thank you, Stace.
43:09Thank you very, very much.
43:11Oh, and tell the kids I said thank you.
43:12I will do, Stace. I will.
43:14See you later.
43:15Bye.
43:16Have a nice afternoon.
43:18Bye, Marie.
43:20Bye, love.
43:21Bye.
43:22Thank you so much.
43:44Bye.
43:45Bye.
Recommended
43:35
|
Up next
44:34
46:13
44:13
43:58
44:52
2:19:36
2:42:25
35:39
57:36
1:00:53
1:08:00
56:44
53:45
44:41
23:42
1:02:28
46:23
1:09:58