Millionaire Martin Stamp is no stranger to charity.

But the businessman had to hide his generous nature when he came to Hull to take part in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire programme, to be screened tomorrow (Sunday).

As reported, city youth charity The Warren and Hull Children's University were both given £20,000 after impressing Mr Stamp during his visit.

He had told the organisations he was the presenter of a fake show called Roots in order to hide his true identity.

Songwriters Jody McKenna and Keith Hagger, of The Warren, and Dr John Buttrick, of the Children's University, had no idea they had been duped, but were delighted when Mr Stamp handed them the cheques from his own pocket.

The money for The Warren, a community resource centre for young people, in Queen's Dock Avenue, city centre, will go towards setting up a record label, while Dr Buttrick will use the money to help realise his ambitions for the after-school learning initiative.

Jody, 26, and Keith, 25, were also given tickets to see their hero Bob Dylan with Mr Stamp.

"It gave me a chance to see and experience different aspects of life," Mr Stamp told the Mail.

"It was great, at 57 years old, to hang around with younger people like Jody and Keith. It was really good fun and such a privilege to be accepted by them.

"While I've been involved in charities for a long time, it was brilliant handing out the money myself and really quite emotional.

"I was really pleased with the projects selected and will continue my involvement.

"If I have money sitting in the bank not doing anything why not help the likes of The Warren and the Children's University?"

Mr Stamp, the owner of a software company, hopes Hull as a whole will profit too.

He said: "I'm hoping the programme will give Hull some self-confidence.

"The city has its problems, but they are certainly not insurmountable.

"I'd never been to Hull before and I found the centre very charming, but going out to the estates was an eye-opener."

Mr Stamp was approached by the programme makers through his work with charity group The Funding Network.

He said: "One of the programme's researchers attended a Funding Network meeting and approached me about taking part.

"At first I said no, as I vowed I'd never do any reality shows.

"However, after thinking a bit more and having seen the show, I thought if the projects came across well, it was worth doing."

Mr Stamp's rise to riches began in 1997 when he realised there was no software to help him invest in the stock market.

He wrote his own, naming it Sharescope, and since then, his company – Ionic Information Ltd – has won 30 industry awards and makes the UK's leading investment software for private investors.

Mr Stamp, who lives in north London and is married with a son, believes people from all backgrounds have potential to achieve.

"I think it's really unfortunate when kids come from generations of unemployed people, but I think everyone can make something of themselves," he said.

The programme will be aired at 9pm on Channel Four.