Will Mellor on health inequalities and why he’s backing Shelf Life

Our Director, Paul McDonald, sat down with actor and TV presenter Will Mellor to discuss why he decided to back our Shelf Life campaign, and why tackling health inequalities matters to him. 

Our stunt to launch Shelf Life was designed to get people talking. What made you want to be part of such a public statement on health inequalities?  

I believe I have a responsibility. I come from a working-class background, and I still have family members living in the community where I grew up. I’ve been fortunate that, through my career, I’ve found a platform and a voice, and I want to use that in the right places and for the right reasons. 

This campaign really resonated with me. When I first learned about the scale of health inequalities, I was shocked. I didn’t even know this was happening. Nobody should be defined by their postcode or by how much they earn when it comes to how long they live.  

When something genuinely connects with you, and you’re in a position to do something about it, you feel a responsibility to act. 

Has your childhood shaped your understanding of health inequalities, and can you talk about the experiences that have made you feel so strongly about this? 

I actually had a great childhood. We grew up on a council estate and we didn’t have much, but there was a strong focus on things like cooking, healthy eating and making the most of what we had. Looking back, much of what we ate was fresh and home-cooked because that’s how families did things. My mum would buy ingredients and cook from scratch, and that’s simply how we lived. 

I think one of the biggest differences today is education and access. In some areas, healthy food just isn’t as readily available. And if healthier options aren’t easily accessible, people are naturally more likely to choose what’s available to them instead. 

We all know that many people face financial pressures, but those pressures shouldn’t determine how long someone lives. Financial struggles are one thing, but they shouldn’t dictate life expectancy. 

The reality is that there’s still a huge gap between rich and poor in this country, and that’s reflected in people’s health and how long they can expect to live. 

What do you think when people ask what can be done about health inequality? 

Well, some people might think, “What can we do about it?” But if we keep saying that, nothing gets done. 

I’m in a fortunate position now. I had the opportunity to move my children to an area that’s greener and gives them a bit more freedom. I live outside London now. I lived in London for a while, but I didn’t think it was the best place for my kids. There’s the polluted air, the high cost of living, the constant hustle and bustle, and the impact that can have on mental wellbeing. 

So, I moved somewhere that gives my children more freedom, and I recognise that I’m privileged to be able to do that. What’s important is that, if you’re in a position like mine, you don’t forget where you came from. I know where I came from, and I see it whenever I go back to visit family. There are people who are struggling. 

People aren’t necessarily complaining, but one thing they shouldn’t have to worry about is their health. If you put your postcode into the life expectancy tool and realise that someone living elsewhere could live 18 years longer than you simply because of where you live, that’s not right, however you dress it up. 

When you hear something like that, it’s natural to ask what can be done. The reality is that some people can’t do anything about it themselves because they’re stuck. That’s why it’s up to the rest of us to put pressure on those in power to change things and make sure they do.