MARTIAL arts millionaire Matt Fiddes saw how the other half lived when he and his family agreed to take part in the TV show Rich House, Poor House.

In an episode set to be aired on Channel 5 next week he swapped his six-bed country home near Royal Wootton Bassett and £1,500 weekly spending to sample life in a terrace on a Southampton estate with a budget of £170.

The businessman, who made his money from his own martial arts school chain and a property portfolio, was humbled by the experience of living in the home of Andy and Kim Leamon and their two children Olivia and Freddie.

Andy works in an emergency response call centre for vulnerable people while Kim, who was injured while working in a mental health unit, is registered disabled.

Money is so tight for them that they use vouchers and save cash in a pot to do a monthly frozen food shop or pay for necessities like school shoes.

In contrast Matt, wife Monique and the children Jack, Hero, Lola and Savannah have a lifestyle that includes ponies, a Bentley and weekend visits to theme parks.

As his week in Andy’s shoes drew to a close he said: “I never knew how big a problem money is to some families out there.

“It was a lot harder than I thought.

“I have come away with learning how to be a better father and husband I believe.”

He also felt guilty that that while he had a comfortable life, Andy and his family struggled.

“That budget and everything is a reality for him,” said Matt.

In fact it had such an impact on Matt that there was a surprise for the Leamons when they returned home.

Viewers will need to tune in to find out what it is.

As Andy and Kim prepared to return to their home after enjoying luxuries like not having to worry about money, dining out and being able to take the children on a day trip to a theme park, they reflected on a fairy tale week.

In the show it was revealed that Matt had never paid a bill in his life and had no idea what his gas, electricity and council tax costs were because he relied on staff to deal with them.

He admitted during filming that his previous marriage to Lola and Savannah’s mother broke down because he concentrated too much on his business and family life suffered.

Pop singer Monique, who comes from South Africa, does all the cleaning at their five-bathroom home which is surrounded by 60 acres of land.

Meanwhile Andy explained he used a spreadsheet to help work out the family income and expenditure and often sat through the night trying to work out how to make ends meet.

He wasn’t able to meet friends for a drink in the pub because he couldn’t afford the price of a pint and didn’t want to accept drinks from them knowing he couldn’t buy one back.

Kim who developed chronic pain following an operation to treat an injury sustained while restraining a patient, had to abandon dreams of becoming a nurse and is mostly housebound because of mobility problems.

  • Rich House, Poor House is on Channel 5 on Thursday, 9-10pm