In praise of … Deirdre Kelly

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/08/deirdre-kelly-white-dee-benefits-street

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Channel 4's Benefits Street was not as bad as the dreadful title suggested. It was redeemed by the warmth of several residents, especially the single mother styled as White Dee. Smoking but sober, loud but loving, Deirdre Kelly was shown doing the best she could for her kids in straitened circumstances, stowing money for local addicts who knew they couldn't trust themselves. While others rushed to judge, she switched on the kettle, and was even heard discussing the roots of one neighbour's addictions in childhood sexual abuse. On benefits for her own depression, armchair psychiatrists asserted on no basis at all that she must be faking. There are rumours of a row with the benefit office over some promotional work. But Dee has written for the Spectator in return for a charity donation, and has now turned her hand to unpaid stand-up comedy. If the "big society" is ever going to be more than waffle, it will need the likes of White Dee.