The Secret Millions

Channel 4 and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) have joined forces in the channel’s largest ever TV giveaway. As part of a major new series, £10 million is available to back radical ideas tackling some of Britain’s big issues. Five-part series The Secret Millions builds on the legacy of The Secret Millionaire and takes the format to a new level – working with an enthusiastic and experienced team of Channel 4 experts. Gok Wan, Katie Piper, Jimmy Doherty, Dave Fishwick and George Clarke help a range of charities develop innovative and ground-breaking projects that could have profound, positive effects for those in need. Meanwhile, they are secretly trying to secure £2 million of Lottery money that could turn the big idea into reality.

In 2011, Channel 4 teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund to ask the nation to decide which five themes were their priorities for funding during the current financial climate. The results were used by BIG to decide which five exciting and innovative projects across the UK should get a total of £10 million of Lottery money.

Each week, The Secret Millions will follow a celebrity working with a charity on the front line to test out a bold idea dealing with big social issues. From a radical approach to turning ex-prisoners’ lives around, to getting unemployed young people trained up and fit for work – the projects could bring new thinking to big problems and change lives. The people they work with have no idea that behind the scenes the Big Lottery Fund are assessing the project throughout and that the experts are working with the charity bosses in hopes of convincing BIG to give away millions of pounds to turn the project into a reality. If they are successful, the celebrities will reveal the secret millions at exciting and emotional surprise events.

Over the weeks, the cameras follow the hard work, the emotional strains and the exhilarating moments. Throughout, the charities, beneficiaries and Channel 4 faces learn to work together on these innovative ideas – providing emotional support, a better future or a second chance to those in need.

Prod Cos: RDF Television, Twenty Twenty

Exec Prods: Tayte Simpson, Meredith Chambers

Comm Ed: Anna Miralis