Michael Sheen & Channel 4 Accused Of Ripping Off ‘Secret Million Pound Giveaway’ Series That ‘Good Omens’ Star Says Was Inspired By John Oliver

deadline.com:

Michael Sheen and Channel 4 are embroiled in a row after being accused of ripping elements of their series Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway from a previous idea pitched to Sheen.

According to The Guardian, which broke the news, lawyers for producers Daniel Edelstyn and Hilary Powell have written to Sheen and the makers of his show raising the similarities it bears with their 2021 project Bank Job.

Channel 4 said it is “ludicrous to suggest that one show is a copy of the other,” while Sheen’s spokesperson told The Guardian the actor got the idea after watching John Oliver buying up medical bill debt in the U.S.

nearly a decade ago. Produced by Full Fat TV, Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway sees the Good Omens star use £100,000 ($130,000) of his own money to buy £1M of debt in his hometown of Port Talbot, which was then written off.