30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
East 17's Brian Harvey defends claiming benefits after selling 22 million records with 90s stars
East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has taken to TikTok in an angry rant, slamming 'trolls' who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits after selling 22 million records
East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has revealed he's on benefits despite shifting a staggering 22 million records with the nineties legends. Brian, 50, fronted the band from Walthamstow alongside Tony Mortimer and stormed the charts with tracks, including Stay Another Day and If You Ever, featuring Dreams star, Gabrielle.
However, after the band split up in 1999 following Tony's departure in 1997, Brian stepped away from the spotlight after trying to go solo - and has now revealed his financial woes as a result. Taking to TikTok, smoking a a cigarette, ranting furiously about "trolls" who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits, he fumes: "I'm entitled to benefits. I sold 22 million records, that's not a big-up, it's a fact!"
Sharing a video from outside his local council office, he can then be heard shouting: "Who put Walthamstow on the map? "What are you on about, wasting your time? You wouldn't have a job here if it weren't for me paying tax on 22 million f*****g records. F**k you! F**k you!"
Returning home, Brian, who used to date Danniella Westbrook, continues on TikTok: "How much tax have I paid and how much tax have you d***head trolls paid? 22 million records! Could you do that? No, you couldn't do that, you're just jealous."
Responding to the post, many fans supported Brian, saying he was "absolutely entitled" to claim benefits. However, others asked him where all his money had gone as one suggested he needed to "go on Celebrity Big Brother to make some cash".
After his departure from East 17 following a public fallout with Tony after Brian made controversial comments about taking ecstasy in a radio interview, the singer attempted a solo career, releasing True Step Tonight in 2001.
However, he struggled to achieve the same level of commercial success he had found with the band.
In 2006, East 17 attempted a reunion with all four original members for Channel 4's Bring Back... series. In 2010 another reunion occurred, but Tony left again in 2013. In 2014, Brian quit again and that was the end of the road for the Walthamstow Four.
In 2005, Brian survived a serious accident outside his home in East London after falling under the wheels of his reversing Mercedes that left him with severe injuries and required lengthy rehabilitation.
Through the 2010s, he occasionally appeared in the media to discuss his subsequent struggles with mental health and financial difficulties.
Brian had been refreshingly candid about his life after fame, using social media platforms to communicate directly with fans and share his experiences.
In recent years, the Deep star has attempted to rebuild his career through YouTube and TikTok where he has set up a channel to connect with his followers and share his story.
