Skint (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Skint


caption =
genre = Documentary
creator =
narrated = David Morrisey
starring =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
num_episodes =
executive_producer = Julian Mercer
location = Birmingham
camera = Single-camera setup
runtime =
network = BBC One
picture_format =
first_aired =
last_aired = present
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/nohome/tvandradio/skint.shtml
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

Skint is a BBC documentary series centred around the lives of the homeless population of Birmingham, UK. Despite criticism on the exploitation of the programme's subjects, a new series of "Skint" aired on BBC One at 22:45 on 20 December 2007. [ [http://www.thecustard.tv/thecrumble/thecrumble_25.html thecustard.tv • thecrumble ] ] [Skint Ep1 BBC1 20/12/2007]

Recurring Cast

Vernon Burgess

Appearing from the first series, Vernon has since become a minor celebrity, with members of the public purchasing his Big Issues on the premise of receiving an autograph. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/hardchristmas/toughseason/skint.shtml BBC - Hard Christmas - Vernon from Skint ] ]

Vernon was born in the winter of 1965 at City Hospital, Birmingham. He was educated at [http://colmore-inf.bham.sch.uk/index.htm Colmore Infant School] in his younger years.

His enthusiastic spirit has led him to become the central subject of the programme. Vernon enjoys his entrepreneurial mindset, often purchasing items and reselling with a high mark-up. Vernon recorded a reggae single to co-incide with Christmas 2006, entitled "I'm Skint". While not an official release (and therefore not recognised by singles charts, the £2.50 CDR was posted to customers with an accompanying Christmas card, personally signed by Vernon himself.

Vernon currently resides in the Druids Heath area of Birmingham, although regularly travels to the city centre to buy and sell the Big Issue. He was wrongly accused of the murder of a young lady on a train in the 1980s. After the establishment of his innocence, Vernon spent twelve weeks in a spell in a psychiatric hospital, the trauma of which resulted in the issues with his current mental health. [ [http://thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/real_life/article597985.ece 'Christmas is for the rich' | Vernon Burgess' story | 'Tis the season to be skint | The Sun |HomePage|Woman|Real Life ] ] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/hardchristmas/toughseason/skint.shtml BBC - Hard Christmas - Vernon from Skint ] ]

Bob Steele

From his first appearance in the initial series, Bob has appeared occasionally throughout the programme. He is a musician intent on making a living through live music, often pawning his guitar for a keyboard in buyback schemes, before deciding to trade back again. Bob has made numerous live appearances, most notibly at an Irish bar in Birmingham (for which he was paid £20 to finish early). [Skint series one] He has also been seen busking on Erdington High Street, before being moved on by the police. [ [http://www.thecustard.tv/thecrumble/thecrumble_25.html thecustard.tv • thecrumble ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nohome/tvandradio/skint.shtml Skint]