Being from the area, I really though that episode of the Secret Millionaire was exaggerated, almost scraping the barrel. It made New Addington look a million times worse than what it is.
In reality - the shows producers got the line to visit South London, for the whole post 2011 riots angle. They researched council estates in the area and couldn't really find an angle - but one place stuck out - New Addington. It attracted the producers because it has an active community clasp, the place has an intrinsic sense of pride. A great place to find a story really. People who are proud to be working class and live together in an almost socialist-like segregated society.
New Addington was recently named the most affordable place in London, and you have the good with the bad really. The top of New Addington(where the parade and shops are), has its share of mortgaged homes, small businesses and community spirirt, But the lower bit of the estate, Fieldway (CS home), is more of a Labour Government sponsored petri-dish.
Plenty of my school friends from 'Addo' now have blue collar jobs, education, homes etc. There are worse places.