Three families handed a £26,000 cash windfall to transform their lives as part of a social experiment became compelling viewing on Channel 5.

The Great British Benefits Handout saw the families presented with a briefcase full of cash in exchange for coming off their benefits and managing their finances for the first time.

The big question for viewers? Can they make it work?

The families selected for the four-part series were chosen by three experts including Professor Guy Standing who has overseen similar windfall projects in other parts of the world.

It is thought such schemes could help break the benefits cycle.

In the first episode, we got to meet the families and see how they were hoping to turn things around.

So who were the families?

Tony, Diane and their son Michael

Tony, Diane and Michael Diane, Michael and Tony (Channel 5/PA)

 

Tony, 51, from Hull, impressed viewers with his good manners and politeness and revealed he wanted to be a second-hand furniture dealer.

Before getting the cash, Diane explained that she had struggled to land a job despite being asked for interviews. She worried her appearance which was holding her back from getting the positions, saying she didn’t have the money for new clothes and to dye her hair.

But people were confused that on receipt of the money, she started planning how to redecorate their house, while giving their son more than £300 to get a PlayStation and a couple of games, although they did seem to rue that decision.

Diane and TonyDianne and Tony regretted letting their son buy a PlayStation (Channel 5/PA)

 

They smartened themselves up for a meeting at an empty shop they could possibly hire for their business, but they were unprepared for the complexity of the costs.

After treating themselves and making inroads to starting their second-hand business, they had spent £1,000 in the first week.

Viewers’ verdict:

Scott, Leanne and their four children

Scott and Leanne and their four children Leanne and Scott with their four children (Channel 5/PA)

 

The Liverpool family initially seemed to be the most likely to succeed in Twitter’s eyes. They hoped to start a party business showing reptiles with their windfall – and they already had a rather large collection of creatures which could be shown.

The family were praised for the fact they were thinking about how they would have to now pay their own bills, rather than relying on them being paid on their behalf.

But Scott and Leanne spent the most in the first week, shelling out £3,000 on various bills and costs associated to their animal show business, which also morphed into a children’s party business and wedding dressing business with the purchase of some giant slides and wedding arches.

Viewers’ verdict:

Rachel and her three children

Rachel from The Great British Benefits HandoutSingle mum Rachel with he neighbour and friend Mary (Channel 5/PA)

 

Rachel was the third to get her hands on the cash. She left college 15 years ago to have her twin boys Jack and James. She is also mum to primary school-aged pupil Annie.

Her biggest worry was that her children would also end up on benefits so she wants to set a better example. Unlike the other two families she doesn’t want to set up her own business, but find a way to return to work.

Rachel took it steady. In the first week she had sorted out some of her bills and small debts and treated friends and family to a meal, spending £530.

Viewers’ verdict

The teaser for next week suggested some of the families burn through the cash at an incredible rate. We’ll be watching.

The programme returns on February 16 at 9pm on Channel 5.