There was a tough – but incredibly important – watch on BBC Three on Tuesday night. We saw Professor Green present a documentary tackling the issue of homelessness in the UK.
He visited Manchester first, where we met Luke, 20. He’s been living on the streets on and off for five years. And we found out almost half of homeless people end up on the streets under age of 21.
(BBC/Antidote Productions/Duncan Stingemore)
So sad watching @professorgreen's Hidden and Homeless when living in Manchester, so much goes on for these people that you don't know about
— els (@elliemthomas) February 9, 2016
Watching @professorgreen hidden homeless and as someone who's proud to be from manchester it breaks my heart knowing this goes on in my city
— Megan Jayne☮ (@MegiJayne) February 9, 2016
On the streets, young people are exposed to prostitution, crime and drugs. But drugs were the main focus of Luke’s struggle – particularly “spice”, a legal high. Luke admitted to Professor Green that it’s “not nice” – but it’s a coping mechanism.
It was explained how “spice” is a a synthetic cannabis. But Professor Green was shocked by its effects, describing how it seemed like a much harder drug. When Luke was “out of it” for ten minutes, the singer described it as “like watching someone slip out on heroin”.
(Screenshot/BBC 3)
And Twitter couldn’t come to terms with how something so terrifying is legal.
Luke's story is shocking😳#HiddenAndHomeless @professorgreen
— roberto (@robbiehamilton7) February 9, 2016
How is spice legal? #HiddenandHomeless
— Amelia Grant (@AmeliaBIGrant) February 9, 2016
How is this spice stuff legal?! Please tell me how the government haven't banned it! #HiddenandHomeless
— Charlotte. (@charlydss) February 9, 2016
Can't believe spice is legal it's clearly damaging thousands of lives.. Absolutely heartbreaking @professorgreen #HiddenandHomeless
— Liz Rodgers (@Liz__Bert) February 9, 2016
Breaking my heart watching #HiddenAndHomeless how on earth is #Spice legal and so accessible? @professorgreen
— Sophia Mirza (@Sophia_Mirza21) February 9, 2016
Paramedics in Manchester now being called out to at least one Spice overdose every day-many of the patients are homeless.#HiddenandHomeless
— Lucy Bannerman (@TimesLucy) February 9, 2016
There was a moving moment when we saw that Luke had moved into a hostel, and he seemed so proud to show Professor Green round.
(Screenshot/BBC 3)
But he admitted to dabbling in drugs still. And after an argument in the hostel, he said he wanted to go into town to get some “spice”. And again, Twitter was angered by the availability of the drug – and found it hard to watch its effect on Luke.
Yh. This spice drug… Mate! Any drug in fact. It's not worth it. #HiddenandHomeless
— Sammy Supernova (@NonNegotiable) February 9, 2016
Look at what that terrible stuff is doing to that kid, how is this LEGAL ! #HiddenandHomeless
— Julia Ball (@JuliaBall) February 9, 2016
Spice should of been made illegal by now..why are shops still been aloud to sell it!! @professorgreen #HiddenandHomeless
— Charley Whitaker (@charleyy90) February 9, 2016
This is horrible viewing, watching the addiction overtake him… #HiddenandHomeless
— Ronnie Joice (@ronniejoice) February 9, 2016
It's pretty hard to watch someone that needs help but won't help themself @professorgreen #HiddenandHomeless @bbcthree
— Freja (@FrejaLBudd) February 9, 2016
How is 'spice' so readily available!!? Unbelievable @professorgreen @bbcthree #HiddenandHomeless
— hayley smith (@hayls_smith) February 9, 2016
I'm glad Spice is being talked about on TV, one of the most vicious drugs on the streets, it's spread like a disease #HiddenandHomeless
— Jake Kirkman (@Jake_Kirkman) February 9, 2016
As well as being shocked by other people’s stories in the show, there was also a statistic that completely blew viewers’ minds.
Cannot believe an individual has to be physically lying down in a sleeping bag to be officially recognised as homeless #HiddenandHomeless
— Christobel Hastings (@CalicoCasa) February 9, 2016
Imagine u have to be lying down in a sleeping bag on the street to be considered homeless. Sitting up doesn't count. Wow #HiddenandHomeless
— Dezziiee (@Dezziiee_) February 9, 2016
"You have to be lying down in a sleeping bag to be a statistic, sitting up doesn't on the street doesnt count" WHAT #HiddenandHomeless
— megan (@Sexonmetria) February 9, 2016
Can't believe not counted as homeless unless they're lying down! True stats must be so much higher than what's released #HiddenandHomeless
— Emma S (@emmabunks) February 9, 2016
The show ended with us finding out Luke’s friend – who was also living on the streets of Manchester – had been killed. And not many people could hold their emotions back.
(Screenshot/BBC 3)
What humans do to other humans is beyond me. #HiddenandHomeless 😩😰
— Gracie Francesca (@GraceFVictory) February 9, 2016
Omg luke 💔 #HiddenandHomeless
— megan (@Sexonmetria) February 9, 2016
@professorgreen this documentary just got a lot harder to watch man 💔 #HiddenandHomeless
— neal britton (@neal_britton) February 9, 2016
Meanwhile, many people were also tweeting how they thought Professor Green did an amazing job presenting and dealing with the issue. In fact there was A LOT of love for the singer.
@professorgreen from suicide and me to hidden and homeless u cover both subjects perfectly #honest #truthful #AmazingStories
— Amanda Podolak (@AmandaPodolak1) February 9, 2016
Love how involved @professorgreen gets when doing shows like this… ❤️ #HiddenandHomeless
— Jazz (@JazzMurfitt) February 9, 2016
Professor Green is such a lovely man ❤️
— Greeners ❤ (@MonetBrawn) February 9, 2016
.@professorgreen you ask questions well. I admired how you challenged Luke, asking him what it would take to give it up. #HiddenandHomeless
— Dee Russell (@TheDeeRussell) February 9, 2016
@professorgreen watching hidden and homeless. Thank you so much for highlighting this issue, we need more understanding and less judgment
— Charlotte Crosby (@charlrosecrosby) February 9, 2016
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