Cash-strapped Chesterfield family's finances slammed on Channel Four’s Secret Spenders - after they splash out £700 on a hot tub

A hard-up Chesterfield couple became the focus of a seething social media debate when details of their spending were revealed on Channel 4 show Secret Spenders.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Cheri and Dan shocked viewers of the programme - which coaches families on saving money - by telling how they spent £700 on a hot tub while struggling to scrape together a house deposit.

Ju Jitsu instructor Dan, who earns £400 a month admitted Cheri was the main breadwinner and said the pair were at “tipping point financially”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “We're struggling to save for the deposit for a house and for me to expand business wise.

Dan Gore, Cheri Southam and Harper outside their home on Shirland Street, Chesterfield.Dan Gore, Cheri Southam and Harper outside their home on Shirland Street, Chesterfield.
Dan Gore, Cheri Southam and Harper outside their home on Shirland Street, Chesterfield.

“It leans toward Cheri, who leans towards buying items for the house.”

During the show other details of the pair’s outgoings emerged - including Cheri’s £50 a month on beauty care - as experts’ gave savings advice.

Cheri explained how she had spent a large amount on credit at Christmas time, buying presents for her children as well as a gazebo and a jacuzzi for the family.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Outraged Twitter users took to their keyboards in fury when the Chesterfield duo were told to claim £10,000 in Universal Credit to find the missing deposit money.

Chesterfield Cheri and Dan at their home. Channel Four Secret Spenders.Chesterfield Cheri and Dan at their home. Channel Four Secret Spenders.
Chesterfield Cheri and Dan at their home. Channel Four Secret Spenders.

@JulieVa75095377 wrote: “So buy loads of stuff and a jacuzzi for your garden.

Read More
RSPCA Chesterfield: 11 cute dogs and puppies up for adoption in Derbyshire

“Then get help with over 10k pa universal credit paid for by tax payers.

“I'm tired and exhausted from hard work but no jacuzzi.”

Another said: Another added: “There must be people watching this who haven't got a pot to p*** in, absolutely incandescent with rage I shouldn't wonder.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a more comical observation @ObvzItsAndrew said: “Maybe the wife could save some money by dumping the moaning husband who earns less than her and rats her out to the TV for spending the money she earns…”

As the show continued and the pair’s finances were analysed they were told they could save £19,447 if they followed experts’ guidance.

Experts advised them they could be claim £10,000 per year in Universal Credit.

However commentators also scoffed at claims made on the show about average spends in the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

@LoudlyNotsaying wrote: “£145 a year an average woman spends on hairdressing is a load of b.s. a lot of women get treatments and colour.

“Unless the average woman only goes to the salon once a year.”

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor: Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe