In September 2024, Tata Steel closed its final blast furnace at the Port Talbot plant as part of a restructuring plan for the UK’s largest steelworks. This decision resulted in the layoff of 2,800 workers, causing significant controversy and financial hardship for hundreds of families.
Among those affected, 900 employees received unexpected assistance from Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, who cleared over Rs 8.7 crore (approximately $1 million) in debts for them. Sheen, known for his roles in films like Amadeus, Twilight, and A Very Royal Scandal, took it upon himself to support these workers in his hometown of South Wales.
According to a BBC report, Sheen personally initiated this effort to aid struggling individuals in his hometown of South Wales. Sheen not only wrote a cheque to help these families, but he also founded a financial company aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation by financial institutions.
Upcoming show on Michael Sheen
Sheen’s remarkable gesture will be highlighted in the upcoming Channel 4 series Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway, which will air next week. The show will detail how Sheen’s efforts have brought relief to hundreds of South Wales families and exposed the predatory practices of financial institutions.
Tata Steel Shutdown
The closure of Tata Steel’s Port Talbot blast furnace had a devastating impact on the workers and their families, but Sheen’s intervention provided a lifeline to 900 individuals, helping them clear their debts and start a new life..
