When it was announced that Scott and Leanne Gavin had been given their entire £26,000 annual benefits allowance in one lump sum for a Channel 5 TV show and - not only that - but they had spent that money on an array of exotic animals, needless to say, everyone was quick to take the piss.
Scott and Leanne Gavin - who have four children - appeared to have spent their lump sum pay out to turn their home into a zoo.
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Credit: Channel 5 / the Big Benefits Handout
Among the wildlife they bought was a 12ft Burmese python, five foot long iguanas, horn snakes, giant tarantulas, giant millipedes and snails and a skink.
However, it turns out that the couple actually invested all of the cash in an entertainment business that brings exotic animals to events - and it's paid off.
The couple told The Daily Mirror that the experience changed their lives and they are now off benefits for the first time in seven years.
Leanne, 26, said: "It's one of the best decisions we've ever made. [Because] now we're standing on our own two feet rather than relying on state benefits."
Credit: Channel 5 / the Big Benefits Handout
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With the help of the show's financial adviser Lee Healey, they say Party Central Entertainments Ltd has grown, allowing them to live off the profit.
Scott, 31, said: "We've learnt all about how to budget and how to do our finances. And now we've got our own business and it's getting better and better. We do christenings, car shows, birthday parties.
"We took three deposits yesterday. We've got bookings right up to October. I prefer working for myself rather than being on benefits. Life used to just go by day by day. It was time to start doing stuff for ourselves."
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The best of luck to them, and goes to show you shouldn't be so quick to judge.
Featured Image Credit: Credit: Channel 5 / The Big Benefits Handout Topics: exotic animals, Zoo, Snake, Benefits, Channel 5