The star student with an agonising secret

As an undocumented immigrant to the US from the Dominican Republic, Dan-el Padilla Peralta found himself living in a homeless shelter with his mother and brother. One day he found a book on Roman and Greek history which sparked his interest and imagination. It set him on course for a life of scholarship and academic success, and Dan-el is now a Professor of Classics at the prestigious Princeton University. Producer: Becky Vincent Presenter: Jo Fidgen Photo: Dan-el Padilla Peralta reading as a child in a homeless shelter. Credit: Jeff Cowen