Professor Green came face to face with far-right group Britain first in a new documentary exploring how the white working class are being failed by society.
The award-winning rapper, 34, who grew up on a council estate before finding fame, confronted the leader of the controversial group Jayda Fransen in his new Channel 4 show White Working Class Men.
Shocking scenes saw demonstrators march through the streets of Rochdale shouting racist chants such as 'no surrender to the p*** scum' in the wake of the town's sex abuse scandal.
Professor Green confronted far right group Britain First in a new documentary about white working class men
Pro-Green – real name Stephen Manderson – approaches Fransen questioning whether she thinks their controversial display 'incites hatred'.
'It makes sense to us to say don't build a mosque on every corner of our Christian country' she tells the presenter, before adding 'I am here because I want these Pakistani Muslims to get their filthy hands off of our kids.'
When Green challenges the offending statement he is targeted by the surrounding group who accuse him of 'defending rapists'.
'I would never defend a rapist' says Green 'I am white working class. I haven't come here to call names, so don't tell me what I am.'
While speaking to a protester he later adds: 'The country has not been very kind to you and that's not the fault of anyone Muslim or foreign. It's a class problem it's not a race problem.'
The documentary divided opinion among viewers with some classing it a difficult watch while others said it was an important subject
The rap artist approached the group leader Jayda Fransen to ask if she believed she was inciting hate during a demonstration in Rochdale
The controversial topic divided viewers on Twitter however, the majority agreed rappers' coverage of the controversial topic had been 'articulate' and applauded his efforts.
One wrote: 'What a really well articulated, balanced and compassionate documentary'.
Another agreed adding: 'Very interesting insight, good work here #professorgreen'.
The documentary, which aired on Tuesday night, saw Professor Green claim the future is bleak for white, working-class teenagers in the UK who are becoming more disengaged from society, in his latest documentary.
Viewers were quick to congratulate the rapper on his 'articulate' coverage of the subject
For the documentary Green spent six months in different parts on the country, in an attempt to understand the challenges young men in poor working class backgrounds face in life – including education and work.
Green, who was married to socialite Millie Mackintosh, said he decided to make the two-part series after learning that working class men are the least likely social group to achieve five GCSEs or go to university.
Figures reveal just 10 per cent of white boys from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK go on to higher education – compared to 40 per cent for the rest of the country.
Funds needed to study are thought to be behind the shocking statistic, with the average graduate currently leaving university around £50,000 poorer.
Rap artist Professor Green, aka Stephen Manderson, followed six white men from underprivileged backgrounds living in the UK for his new Channel 4 documentary
The 34-year-old rap star, who was discovered aged 21, grew up in Hackney on a council estate with his nan, after his mother walked out on him at 16
‘People have fewer aspirations,’ Green told Sally Weale at The Guardian. ‘From the areas I went to for the documentary, there seems to be a real lack of drive and belief in them being able to achieve anything, and there’s an acceptance of that.’
The first episode sees him spending time learning about the lives of three young men, including self-styled Essex boy Denzil, right-wing sympathiser David, and Lewis, a smartly-suited teenager hoping to defy his upbringing and make it to Cambridge University.
Green says it wasn't easy coming face-to-face with the realities of life for many young men in the UK.
He explains: 'There was nothing that really surprised me. There were things that I thought were unfortunate, there were things that I thought were really sad.'
The rapper followed the six men featured in the two-part documentary for Channel 4 for six months and was privy to how they perceived both their backgrounds and their futures
David, 20, from Bolton: Orphaned at 15, illiterate, and living in a hostel David, from Bolton, can't read or write and was orphaned at just 15 when his parents died of health conditions within weeks of each other Unable to read or write, David from Bolton admits his prospects are bleak. He lost his father and his mother just weeks apart when he was 15 and is seen in the documentary going to his father's graveside to plant flowers. Left in the hands of the care system, he now lives in a hostel, can't find work because he can't read or writer and has little ambition for the future - although he hopes to 'meet someone and settle down and have children'. David takes Professor Green to visit his father's grave; later in the show he reveals how he sympathises with right-wing organisations because he struggles to get work Hopes and dreams: David says he'd love to settle down and have a family of his own Green said hearing David's story was 'hard' particularly because he couldn't read and write When Professor Green attends a Britain First rally with David and his friends, he faces animosity from a braying crowd after he questions their views. The star said of the rally: 'It was horrible, I hated every minute of it. I was really reluctant to go. But I felt as though I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t. 'I suppose when people don’t have anything, the only thing they feel they have is their whiteness. They’re angry, their lives aren’t great, and there’s someone they can blame for it.' Professor Green says: 'Finding out that David had missed out on two housing opportunities because he was illiterate, and he had no-one to read the letters to him, because he’d lost his mum and his dad. That was hard.'
Professor Green, who himself grew up on a Hackney Council estate and didn't pass any of his GCSEs, hopes the programme will spark more debate about the underachieving of white, working class males in the UK.
Living with his nan after his mother left at the age of 16, Professor Green describes in the documentary how he was the only white boy in his East London class.
The star says that he feels 'lucky' to have experienced a working class upbringing despite the riches that have come his way since he shot to fame at 21 after being discovered by a record label.
Ambition: How smart-suited Lewis, 18, defied the odds and is aiming for Cambridge When Professor Green meets 18-year-old Lewis Croney, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, he admits he's surprised by both his accent and his attire. Defying the odds: Lewis Croney, from Hampshire, shocked Professor Green with his smart attire and middle-class accent Professor Green follows Lewis as he hopes to get a place at Cambridge University...but the youngster admits he isn't sure how he'll explain his upbringing to his middle-class peers if he makes it to the prestigious seat of learning Determined to get a place at one of the country's top universities, Lewis is seen anticipating his A-levels results, that will guarantee him a place - against all odds - at one of the country's top universities. Professor Green, who meets Lewis at the hairdressing salon where his mother works, is shocked by the young man's posh accent and smart attire. Lewis admits that he may find it hard to reveal the truth to his future university friends about his humble background.
In an interview to accompany the series, Professor Green admits that money has changed his life but says he remains working class at the core.
He says: 'My life’s changed substantially because of the money that I’ve made, but I’m not from money, I’m not wealthy. Wealth isn’t in my family, that’s not going to change. I’m still working class.
'My children? I don’t know. I hope they’ll have the same values as me, but do I want them to be working class? I don’t know.'
'All they have is their whiteness': The star attended the beginning of a Britain First rally and 'hated every minute of it' after he clashed with members of the controversial group
Denzil: Self-styled Canvey Island wide boy who dreams of big money - by almost any means A modern-day Del Boy, Denzil wants to get rich quick and will try anything to make money, including working as a male escort and selling sex aids. Denzil, from Canvey Island, has tried working as an escort and selling sex aids to make money - and Professor Green joins him as he tries to get his latest venture off the ground - a pop-up rave The star has revealed that he found himself dealing drugs after he'd sell cannabis on to friends to pay for his share - only for the money-making scheme to escalate Professor Green follows him on his latest venture, as he attempts to put on a rave, encouraging people from London to travel east for a night of fun. He admits that there will be people in the building selling drugs but says he 'leaves all that alone'. The Essex boy turned entrepreneur will stop at nothing to bring in the bacon, but Professor Green wonders how responsible he's being, with a young daughter to provide for.
Working Class White Men, a two-part documentary, starts on Channel 4 on Tuesday 9 January at 10pm
PROFESSOR Green is one of the UK's most successful rappers and is a highly recognisable face.
The rapper hit the headlines after his high-profile marriage broke up. But what else do we know about the musician?
Rex Features Pro Green is a TV regular and rapper
Who is Professor Green, how old is he and what is his background?
British rapper Professor Green was born Stephen Manderson on November 27 1983, making him 33 years old.
He was raised in Hackney, London, and his professional name comes from his favourite character and suspect in the board game Cluedo.
Pro describes the area he grew up in Upper Clapton "murder mile", and has rapped about dealing drugs and being arrested in the area.
When he was 23, he released his first mixtape and toured with Lily Allen soon after.
His debut album from 2010 featured Allen, Emeli Sande, Example and Labrinth among others, and he's also worked with Rizzle Kicks and Miles Kane since then.
The star, who became a judge on Lip Sync Battle on Channel 5 in 2016, is a haemophiliac and released his own beer in 2012 called Remedy.
A good friend of Rita Ora's, he featured on a remix of Meridian Dan's track German Whip in 2014.
The rap star is rarely out of a hospital and in 2017, Pro underwent a five-hour operation to sort out three hernias.
His net worth is estimated to be £3m as of 2017.
Getty Images Pro Green has been dating Fae Williams since October 2016
What are Professor Green's best-known songs?
In 2010 the rapper's first hit singles were released - I Need You Tonight and Just Be Good To Green, which samples SOS classic Just Be Good To Me and features Lily Allen.
Among his other best-known tracks are Read All About It, Lullaby, Game Over, Jungle and Monster.
His music has earned him a MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop/Grime Act in 2010 and Jungle won Best Dancefloor Filler at the NME Awards in 2011.
When was he married to Made In Chelsea's Millie Mackintosh?
Pro Green got engaged to uber-posh Made In Chelsea beauty and Quality Street fortune heiress Millie Mackintosh in 2013, becoming an unlikely showbiz couple.
They tied the knot at Babington House in Somerset in September 2013, and started living together in London with several dogs.
However the pair experienced problems with their relationship and had couples therapy.
They announced their split in February 2016 - with Millie citing "unreasonable behaviour" in their divorce - and soon after Millie was seen getting back with her Made In Chelsea ex Hugo Taylor.
Pro has since moved on with Fae Williams, who he got with in October 2016.
But he's been opening up about his marriage in new track One Eye On The Door, from his playfully-titled new album Back On The Market.
Professor Green's marriage to Millie Mackintosh didn't stand the test of time
More on Professor Green working class zeroes Professor Green on why lads from poor, white families need help COLD OUTSIDE Pixie Lott wears mini dress at Stella McCartney Christmas lights switch-on pro marriage? Professor Green hints he’s engaged to girlfriend Fae Williams RUSHING UP THE AISLE Millie Mackintosh’s wedding to Hugo Taylor is in June next year 'we all suffer' David Harewood, Olivia Buckland and Samia support World Mental Health Day GREEN SHOOTS OF RECOVERY Prof Green shows surgery scars and vows to get life back on track ROAD RAGE Professor Green launches into furious rant after his prized Mercedes is vandalised STORMZ COMING Grime star Stormzy set to join The X Factor as Simon Cowell brings in big changes RUSHING UP THE AISLE Millie Mackintosh told Hugo Taylor she wanted to marry him after three weeks of dating #Transform Trauma Trauma kills 46 Brits a DAY - here's how Professor Green is helping to raise awareness WE GREEN YOU BEFORE? Love Island fans left doing a double take as newbie Craig looks eerily like Professor Green PRO'S PAIN Professor Green admits he'd 'scream' in secret as a child while struggling with 'abandonment'
When was Professor Green stabbed?
In 2009 Pro was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle in the Cargo nightclub in Shoreditch, east London.
The bottle pierced straight through the star's "lucky" tattoo, leaving him with a V shaped scar.
Pro claims attacker Anthony Jones - who got eight years in prison - asked him: "You think you're a bad man? You think you're the baddest man in here?"
A four-hour operation saved Pro's life, but four years later an equally horrific incident left him fighting for his life.
His leg was crushed between two parked cars outside his home when a driver accidentally put his foot on the accelerator.
Pro ended up with compression fracture and snapped ligament but was once again rescued by doctors.
Green has also spoken out on mental health, saying men need to speak more about their depression and anxiety, things which he himself has struggled with.
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He’s made waves with previous journalistic endeavors on the BBC, most notably one on the nation’s relationship with cannabis and the murky world of illegal dogs.
But, Professor Green’s latest venture into the world of film making has seen him tackles an issue closer to home, white men from Britain’s working class – and as a result he’s found himself providing a platform for a spectrum of political views, including the far right group, Britain First.
Sounds pretty explosive, right? Well it could well be, as even the rapper took issue to his brush with the group and its supporters. Though, with that said, he’s willing to defend giving Britain First some air time.
‘I threw my toys out of the pram when I was asked to go down there,’ he told Channel 4’s John Snow ahead of the documentary’s premiere.
Working Class White Men is billed as an exploration of the disenfranchised. The boys on the council estate who are looking for a way out. The ones who’ve been forgotten and discarded by society. And, inevitably, the ones that we read about in the news.
This is where Pro Green, real name Stephen Manderson, has had some real inner-conflict.
In July last year the Read All About It hit-maker headed to Rochdale, Greater Manchester to talk to some of the group’s members and hierarchy at a rally.
His ‘short’ trip to the Northern city made headlines – to say the least.
At the time Pro posted a missive to Instagram detailing his day.
He wrote: ‘A conversation with one of their leaders quickly escalated into me apparently being ‘as bad as them’, someone wishing my kids got raped and generally just lots of shouting, oh and apparently I was defending rapists?
‘You couldn’t make it up – I think I’d asked what the party message is when someone from the crowd shouted that. Not a fan of further ingraining disunity, scapegoating and manipulating people by tapping into their unhappiness and giving them a ‘reason’ for all that’s wrong in their world – using the anger and unrest of the working class to incite hatred and cause division.
‘F***ing horrible morning – get me a drink.’
