Will Mellor has joined calls for the government to act after new data showed life expectancy can be up to 18 years lower in some UK areas than others. The Bredbury-born actor, known for roles in Hollyoaks and Two Pint of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, grew up on a Stockport council estate and says he is all too aware that growing up in less-affluent areas can have long-term effects on health and life expectancy.
Childhood postcode reveals stark gap
Speaking as he lends his voice to the new Shelf Life campaign led by the coalition Health Equals, Mellor said: "My childhood postcode in Stockport holds an 80-year-average life expectancy, eight years lower than the highest in the country, which is 88 in places like Marylebone and Berkhamsted." The campaign analysed national data to reveal a substantial life expectancy gap across the UK, with people from some areas expected to live up to 18 years less than others because they lack access to health basics such as decent homes, secure jobs and enough money to make ends meet.
Mellor, 50, now lives in leafy Buckinghamshire with his wife Michelle and their two children, Jayden, 22, and Renee, 18. He lived in London during the early years of his career and told the Press Association: "It was very busy, and quite polluted. So as soon as my kids were born, I decided to move a bit further out to the country, just so they could have more of a healthy life, be a bit more free. It’s better for mental health, as well to be able to go out on bike rides and walks and go to a green park. I’m very fortunate to be in that situation – but it doesn’t mean I can’t have a voice in this sector and say ‘Listen, I’m one of the lucky ones!'".
Family still lives in the area
Many of Mellor's wider family still live around the area where he grew up. "I lived on a working-class council estate, and I’m very proud of coming from there, but another reason I’m involved in this is because there’s a lot of my family – uncles, aunties, cousins, sisters – who live around the area," the former Coronation Street star said. "Those areas are the ones that come high on the list for quite a lot less life expectancy, because of polluted air or damp conditions or healthy food that’s not available to them."
Mellor said: "Some people haven’t got the choice of where they live because of financial restraints – but where you live shouldn’t be detrimental to your health. We need the government to look at these areas and make their living healthier and easier. Everybody should at least be given a chance at a long and healthy life."
Healthy eating at home
Mellor says he and his family try to eat as healthily as they can, largely because his wife is a "very good cook" and the couple brought the children up helping them to cook and avoiding sugary drinks and snacks as much as possible. "It’s not that we’re being tight as parents," he insists, "But we’re trying to let them know there’s a cost to this. If you drink a can of whatever soda or anything with sugar in it, a) it’s not great for your health, or b) for your teeth. It doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got, education and bringing your kids up in that way, that’s free. You’ve got to know what you’re putting in your body – there are ways you can help yourself by looking at better ways to eat."
Will Mellor is supporting the Health Equals Shelf Life campaign highlighting the dramatic life expectancy gap in the UK. People can check the life expectancy in their postcode on the Health Equals website.
