New home for Mark

Then Shropshire Housing Alliance stepped in to offer the former actor a studio flat in an historic mill near Oswestry.

Mr Venables, a former actor, says he can't thank the housing alliance enough.

The 47-year-old said he moved to Oswestry in August to be close to his sons, aged seven and 20.

But he said things didn't go according to plan and he found himself homeless.

“I was living in a tent. Thankfully I registered with SHA and in December, before all the freezing weather, they found me this wonderful studio flat which is at the top of the former mill. The flat is immaculate and having a home means that I can now have my youngest son come to visit and stay with me. I can’t thank SHA enough for everything they have done for me.

The Grade II listed Morda Mill, which dates back to the early 19th Century, and Mr Venables said he enjoys living in the historical building.

“I have a lot of Dr Who memorabilia, as well as items from my acting days, and they look great in this property which has its own theatrical touches.”

Mr Venables, who volunteers for the Chalk charity in Oswestry, said his acting even led to a part in Dr Who.

“When my agent called me up to say that they wanted to audition me for a part in the show I jumped at the chance. In the audition I had to act terrified – and they obviously liked my facial expressions because I got the job. At the time the Dr Who was David Tennant and the episode was about a hospital being transported to the moon. In my scene I’m in the hospital with other people, running scared from a group of aliens.

“I enjoyed my acting jobs and as well as a number of pantos and stage shows I got to perform in the Charlotte Church Show, and also worked alongside actress Anne Reid who stars in Last Tango in Halifax. I’ve also appeared a number of times in the BBC Welsh-speaking soap Pobol y Cwm. I’ve had a varied career, but it is wonderful to be near my sons now – and I couldn’t have done that without help from SHA.”

Paula Phillips, Advice and Landlord Services Manager for SHA, said a lot of single fathers apply to become tenants. “We have a lot of applications from single fathers who have had to leave the family home, and still pay the bills for that property, and yet have nowhere to live themselves. It is great to see that by having a property Mark, and other fathers like him, are able to have a home for their children to come and visit.”