Benefits Street renewed by Channel 4 for second series

Benefits Street is to be renewed for a second series by Channel 4.



The controversial series from Love Productions will return in a different location outside of Birmingham, reports Broadcast.

The five-part series came to an end last night (February 10) with over 4 million viewers. An average audience of 4.8m has made Benefits Street Channel 4's highest-rated show since Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "The first series ignited an important debate about the welfare system, and we are interested in seeing if we can revisit this through the experiences of residents of a street in a different part of Britain."

Channel 4 is to air a half-hour special titled Benefits Street: The Last Word next week, in which cast members will discuss the series.

The programme will be followed by Benefits Britain: The Debate, an hour-long live special hosted by Richard Bacon.

Benefits Street has attracted a high amount of attention from the public since it began, generating news headlines and sparking a strong response on Twitter.