AN entrepreneur from Potters Bar has spoken of his humbling experience starring in the popular TV show Secret Millionaire.

Taxi baron John Griffin spent nine days living and working incognito amidst grinding poverty in Newcastle’s tough West End district for the Channel 4 show.

His stint on Tyneside ended with him revealing his true identity and handing over �145,000 of his own money to three good causes – an experience Mr Griffin described as “humbling”.

The 67-year-old, who has a reported fortune of �50m, lived in a rented bedsit and cleaned toilets in a social club during filming for the show, which was broadcast on Christmas Eve.

However, he told the Potters Bar Edition this did not phase him in the slightest.

The dad-of-two said: “From the age of nine to 16, I lived in a basement in Kilburn and really I felt quite at home to be honest with you.

“I was a bit disappointed really that I wasn’t in somewhere a bit slummier.”

At the end of the show Mr Griffin, who lives in The Avenue, gave �75,000 to the Scotswood Natural Community Garden, a charity which promotes learning about nature, the environment and sustainable living.

He also handed over �50,000 to the Cushty Cafe, an eatery run by young people for young people, before giving a hard-working grandfather �20,000 to help his grandson through college.

Recalling his experience, Mr Griffin, the chairman of London taxi giant Addison Lee, said: “It was heartening to see how I did make a difference to these people.

“I am involved with several charities, but this way of approaching it you get closer to people and you can see the results.

“It is very satisfying.”