Michael Sheen has once again put his money where his mouth is—literally. The Welsh actor has personally cleared £1m of debt for 900 people in South Wales.
His latest act of generosity is at the heart of a new Channel 4 show, Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway. The programme follows Sheen as he sets up his own debt-buying company—not to profit, but to give people a fresh start.
How Did He Do It?
Debt-buying is a murky business. Banks and finance companies often sell off debts to third-party buyers at a fraction of the original amount. These buyers then chase the full sum from those in debt, turning a tidy profit in the process.
Sheen, however, flipped the script. Using £100,000 of his own money, he set up a company to purchase debts—but instead of collecting the money, he wrote it off entirely.
“It’s a Bizarre System”
Speaking on The One Show, Sheen admitted he had “no idea” how debt-buying worked before starting the project. He described the system as “bizarre” and revealed he had to remain at “arm’s length” from the process.
To keep things fair and ethical, the company wasn’t set up in his name, and he never knew who benefited from the debt write-offs. The only details he had were the locations and the types of debt being cleared.
“I would never know who they are – I still don’t know who they are,” he said.
A ‘Not-for-Profit’ Actor
Sheen has been on a mission to use his success for good. In 2021, he famously declared himself a “not-for-profit actor”, pledging to use his earnings to support meaningful causes.
His latest move proves he’s serious about making a difference.
When to Watch
If you want to see Sheen’s journey unfold, Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway airs on Channel 4 on Monday, 10th March.
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