THE stars of last year's Skint programme have moved to the Grimsby area, and say residents will have to take the fact the next instalment is being filmed here "on the chin".
As Channel 4 confirmed the Grimsby series would be shown in the autumn or winter TV schedules, we can reveal that the Bell family have moved to Ulceby.
Large sections of the first series of the show – shown a year ago – were filmed in and around their house on Scunthorpe's Westcliff estate and the cameras even followed the family on holiday to the Lincolnshire coast.
However, Dean, his wife Claire and five of their seven children have now moved from their five-bedroomed rented house in Canterbury Close – swapping life on the estate for life in a North Lincolnshire village.
Dean said: "After three years our previous landlord said he wanted to sell the property, so it was time to move on.
"We were lucky, North Lincolnshire Homes found us a three-bedroom terraced house in the village of Ulceby."
And Dean told the Telegraph his family were all enjoying their new lives.
He said: "The kids love the village life and the three eldest have settled into their new schools.
"There's no danger of them finding hypodermic needles on the streets as on the Westcliff.
"It's a much safer place."
And Dean said the people of Ulceby have been very welcoming.
He said: "Claire and I have been in the village local, The Fox And Hounds, a couple of times and some of the regulars have recognised us from Skint. But everybody has been friendly to us."
Dean, who celebrates his 39th birthday on May 23, believes since the TV show he has become a better person.
He explained: "I have cut down on my drinking and swearing after seeing how I was coming across on Skint."
Last month the Department of Work and Pension ceased payments of his £100 a week Job Seekers' Allowance after two-and-half years on the dole.
Dean said: "I am actively looking for work and handing out CVs. I am hoping now we are living closer to Immingham I can find a job in my trade as a scaffolder.
"But I would do any sort of work.
"Whatever happens we will manage. Claire and I have learned to adapt over the years."
Ulceby is just a few miles from where the second series of Skint is set to be filmed, in Grimsby.
The news has caused widespread opposition in the town, but Dean had a message for the residents in the town: "The people of Grimsby are going to have to take it on the chin.
"The show is bound to upset people – just as it did in Scunthorpe.
"Skint was both good and bad for Scunthorpe. It brought about some much-needed changes, but it was also damaging for some of the people in the show."
Dean revealed he had made one visit to Grimsby with the television production team, but not in any official capacity.
He said: "I like Grimsby. It's no worse or better than Scunthorpe.
"Some people will be really upset with Skint 2, but some people will take it all with a pinch of salt."Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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