Craig David has made a heartbreaking admission as he returned to his Southampton council estate to call for better access to social housing in an emotional clip.

The singer, 43, is one of the biggest British artists of all time, having scored 16 top ten singles in the UK alone. 

Prior to rocketing to fame in his early 20s, Craig lived on the Holyrood Estate near Southampton city centre from the age of one.  

Teaming up with Shelter campaign, the star has released a short film of him going back to the estate with his mother Tina where it all started. 

As he pushes for more social housing for families, Craig reflected on how living in a council home shaped who he has become today.

He said: ‘Growing up in a social home meant everything to me.

Craig David has made a heartbreaking admission as he returned to his Southampton council estate to call for better access to social housing in an emotional clip

Prior to rocketing to fame in his early 20s, Craig (pictured) lived on the Holyrood Estate near Southampton city centre from the age of one

‘It wasn’t just a place to live – it was a space where I felt secure, supported and able to be myself.

‘The sense of community was so strong too – we looked out for each other and that made all the difference.

‘I remember how, in that very home, I could sit down, play my melodies and dream.

‘That home was where I wrote some of the most important songs of my life – songs that went on to shape my career and touch so many people’s hearts.’

During his time living in the house, Craig wrote hit songs 7 Days, Walking Away and Fill Me In, for his 2000 debut album, Born to Do It.

The album became the fastest-selling debut by a British male solo act at the time, quickly making David the face of the UK garage genre.

He continued: ‘Going back with Shelter to visit my old home, and still feeling that same energy, reminded me just how powerful the foundation of a stable, loving home can be.

‘I’m proud to support Shelter’s campaign, because it’s heart-breaking to think so many children today don’t have that same chance.

Teaming up with Shelter campaign, the star has released a short film of him going back to the estate with his mother Tina where it all started

As he pushes for more social housing for families, Craig reflected on how living in a council home shaped who he has become today

‘Every child deserves the security, support and sense of belonging I was lucky enough to grow up with – and that means investing in social housing.’

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The film released by housing charity Shelter, sees Craig meeting the family who now live in the now privately owned flat.

Director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, Mairi MacRae, praised Craig for showing how ‘life-changing a social home can be’.

She said: ‘That’s a world away from what growing numbers of homeless children are facing today – living in temporary accommodation where instability looms over them, never knowing if they’ll be forced to move again, leaving their schools and communities behind.

‘The Government must use the June spending review to commit to invest in 90,000 social homes a year for 10 years,’ she said.

The campaign comes as over 164,000 children were homeless in England at the end of September last year, living in temporary accommodation. 

More than 1.3million households in England were stuck on local authority waiting lists at the end of March last year – which is the highest record since 2014.

Social homes can be either council or housing ᴀssociation properties.