A struggling single mother-of-two teared up when a millionaire offered her £20,000 – and a job to work at his company – on an episode of Rich House, Poor House.
Steph, from Widnes, Cheshire, does her best to support daughters Amelia, 12, and Darcie, seven, but must make do with just £97 per week after bills.
Her ‘small but strong family’ is currently renting a three-bedroom house ‘that has seen better days’ – with the downstairs floor ‘coming apart’ and mould in the bedrooms.
Meanwhile, 30 miles away in the affluent town of Wilmslow, businessman Joe Sealey, who works with heritage brand Mr Whippy on its doughnut range, has shares in some 22 businesses and turns over millions a year.
He lives in a stunning six-bedroom mansion which boasts seven bathrooms, two luxury kitchens, a cinema and a pool.
For the Channel 5 programme, which aired on Sunday, both households were asked to swap lives for a week, leaving Steph with £2,000 to splash over seven days.
But as well as treating her daughters to a new iPhone and Apple Watch – and booking in a hair salon appointment for her mother Gail – Steph stepped into Joe’s corporate world.
Using her experience selling holidays – a role she does remotely, six days a week, which earns her near minimum wage – she took part in a business meeting, pitching Mr Whippy’s doughnuts to a local business.
A struggling single mother-of-two teared up when a millionaire offered her £20,000 – and a job to work at his company – on an episode of Rich House, Poor House. Steph and her two daughters pictured in front of Joe’s mansion
At the end of the episode, when they finally met, Joe said: ‘You went to a meeting this week on behalf of our company.
‘I then spoke to the CEO – who I’d never met or spoken to – and they were super impressed with your delivery, your product knowledge, everything to do with the aspects of the business and it looks like they’re going to buy that product.
‘What we’ve decided is that when that order is completed, we’re going to give you the first £20,000 of the profit.’
A shocked Steph burst into tears, as Joe stressed that he wanted her to clear her debts and ‘put some money in the bank’.
‘You do the deal, you get paid,’ he continued. ‘It doesn’t matter what they order, the first £20,000 of profit will go to you.
‘After that, we’ll work out a ratchet deal with you, where you continue to earn money off that forever.’
Joe then shared that he is looking to expand his sales team – where salaries will start at £60,000 – and will need people that ‘work like Steph works’.
An emotional Steph couldn’t believe the kind offer and said she felt ‘lightheaded’ – and was incredibly grateful as she hugged Joe.
Meanwhile, 30 miles away in the affluent town of Wilmslow, businessman Joe Sealey, who works with heritage brand Mr Whippy on its doughnut range, has shares in some 22 businesses and turns over millions a year. Joe and family friend Tracy in front of Steph’s house
As they came back to their home, they were even more touched to realise Joe had bought new beds and mattresses for them.
Elsewhere, he had also planned a Lake District spa getaway for Steph, and a Mediterranean holiday for the whole family.
Joe and his wife Nicole have two children – who have already left home. As Nicole was away for the week, Joe was joined by close family friend Tracy – who is the mother of an old dear pal, West Ham football player Dylan Tombides.
In the 2010s, Joe used to be his manager, before he tragically passed away from testicular cancer, aged just 20 years old.
Joe helped set up DT38 – a charity in Dylan’s honour – and is a trustee.
The businessman, who is the son of Manchester United player Les Sealey, also used to be a footballer himself, but dislocated his shoulder and was told he could no longer play when he was 18. That same week, his father passed away.
In one emotional moment, the millionaire also recounted dealing with loss as he made a meal – on a much smaller budget than he’s used to.
‘When my dad died, my mum did everything for me,’ he explained. ‘And then my mum got ill, about a year and a half after she got cancer and she was too ill to cook for me.
‘I used to watch the cooking channel and I learned to cook like that, I need to cook for myself and my brother.
‘The biggest thing for me is that my dad will never meet my family, but life’s not perfect, not even for me. I mean it, I’d give everything I’ve got to have another day with my dad.’
Rich House, Poor House airs on Channel 5, Sunday, 26 April, 9.00pm
