Dave Marshall was reduced to tears in the debut episode of the controversial new TV show Go Back To Where You Came From.
The four-part series kicked off with Nottinghamshire chef Dave standing on the cliffs of Dover, calling for immigrants crossing the Channel to be “blown up”.
Dave, 35, joins five other Brits with diverse viewpoints on immigration in the programme. They are thrust into the most dangerous legs of refugee journeys to the UK from some of the world’s most hazardous regions.
In the devastation of Syria, the single father from Eastwood experienced a profound awakening after encountering a family living without basic amenities in the ruins of Raqqa.
The star, who now works as a private chef, confessed to being “heartbroken” witnessing their children foraging through debris, gathering whatever plastic and scrap metal they could to sell for mere pennies.
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Dave (second from right) joins five other Brits with controversial viewpoints on immigration (Image: Tom Barnes / Channel 4)
Dave was visibly moved as he recounted his experience cooking mutton kebabs over hot coals for a poverty-stricken family, remarking: “It was dead sad, probably the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, kids in poverty like that.
“I mean adults, you see people homeless in the streets in England and you walk past them, perhaps a bit desensitised – you shouldn’t be, as anybody homeless or anybody in trouble should be helped. But when you see kids like that it broke my heart.”
He continued: “It still haunts me now. I’ve had to have counselling about it as it made me really sad and made me understand how lucky I am, how fortunate I am. It was really nice to cook for them. They gave us some food and cooked for us and they didn’t have anything.
“I made a big point to the director – this wasn’t on the show – but I said I’m not leaving here unless we get them some food and if we don’t get them some food, I’m not going to continue with the show so it’s up to you, so he let me go and buy them some stuff.”
The chef was reduced to tears encountering a family living without basic amenities in the ruins of Raqqa (Image: Channel 4)
He added: “I bought it out my own money and cooked for them. But it was the saddest thing leaving that family knowing we might have cooked for them but they’re still in the same boat.”
Ahead of the second episode, Dave shared that his participation in the show had deepened his empathy for asylum seekers and refugees, confessing: “Before I was very much don’t let anybody in but when I saw what I saw, I feel sorry for people and didn’t realise how bad it was in certain countries.
“I understand a bit more why people want to leave these countries for somewhere with a better life.”
Aware of the complex issue, he pondered: “But one of the main problems is what can we do? Unfortunately we do not have space for everybody in this country. That is the biggest question. People do need help, they are struggling and famine is another level in these countries but what do we do?”
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Dave admitted he had counselling after the show (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
The show has triggered a polarised debate, with many .
Dave anticipated criticism, saying: “I thought I would get slated. It’s a very difficult subject to talk about. Whenever you talk about immigration you’re either labelled as a racist or a left wing loony and I was a bit worried but it’s important for normal people like myself to experience things like this.”
Dave further explained the evolution of his stance: “I might have had views but it doesn’t mean you’re a horrible person. People have just got concerns, no matter what side you’re on, but I’ve had a really good reaction. I’ve had really nice messages. You can see in the show how things change as it goes on and I understand things more.
“There was always going to be backlash, it’s a controversial show, it’s got a controversial name. Whenever anyone mentions immigration, get the pitchforks out.
Go Back To Where You Came From has been criticised by viewers (Image: Channel 4)
A lot of people have been saying the show shouldn’t have been made, but shows like this need to be made because this topic is spoken about everyday – you turn on the news, you go for a pint.
“Why hide it and pretend it doesn’t exist? It does, poverty in the world exists, people coming over here illegally exists. There are problems, there are reasons why they’re coming over here which the programme does show.”
Dave said viewers will be “eating their words” if they watch all four episodes of the programme, claiming: “It will make a lot of people understand”.
The star added: “The messages I’ve already had from people I deemed as very right wing, have said ‘bloody hell Dave I didn’t know it was like that’ so I think this show is going to be powerful.”
The second episode of Go Back To Where You Came From will air tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.