Exclusive:
Will Mellor gave an update to the Mirror about the prospect of reviving BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which he starred in alongside his pal Ralf Little
Will Mellor and children discuss Smart Energy GB campaign
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Will Mellor has shared an update on a potential revival, after having previously revealed that a script had been written for it.
The sitcom, which originally revolved around five friends in Runcorn, first aired on the BBC from 2001 to 2011. Will, now 48, played Gaz Wilkinson in all nine series. The cast of the show, known simply as Two Pints, also included Natalie Casey, Kathryn Drysdale, Ralf Little and Sheridan Smith.
Reruns of Two Pints are still shown on BBC Three, which had been its primary broadcaster. A revival was previously teased by Will, who said in 2022 that the BBC had rejected a script for it, though he expressed hope at the time that another broadcaster would pick up the project instead.
The actor spoke to the Mirror about the planned revival whilst promoting his collaboration with Smart Energy GB. Will gave an update and shared his thoughts on Two Pints’ original broadcaster deciding not to revisit the show.
Asked for the latest development, Will revealed that there are no ongoing conversations about it, sharing that he’s instead pursued other opportunities with pal Ralf, 44. Will told us recently: “There’s no conversation, really.”
He continued during the interview: “We spoke about it. It’s probably a couple of years ago now, cause me and [Ralf] were doing a podcast, Two Pints with Will & Ralf, that we set up in lockdown, and we try to give fans of the show and people who enjoyed what we did, something.
“And talking about the old days and everything else [and] we’ve had two really successful tours. We’re in talks for doing another one. So have sort of scratched the itch, but also, we did get a script together with Susan Nixon, who was the original creator and writer [of Two Pints], and it was called Two Pints: Last Orders. We had a first draft and we had a story outline, and me and Ralf were up for doing it.”
Will also revealed how the revival would have reintroduced Ralf’s character Jonny Keogh who was said to have died off-screen in the seventh series of Two Pints. He told us: “They were bringing Jonny back from the dead – cause he obviously apparently died in it, but then we find out he’s not dead, he’d actually been in hiding, and we find out why.”
He then shared: “We offered it to the BBC – they said no. BBC Three didn’t want it. So we just sort of left it. And it’s funny now, how reviving shows … I don’t understand why they weren’t interested but they didn’t wanna revisit it and BBC Three I think could have really done with it, to be honest, I think their audiences have not been great.”
“Two Pints is probably still the highest rated show on the channel now, and it’s all the reruns, I’m sure they would have liked to have seen a revised ‘where are they now?’ kind of series. But that was where we left it,” he commented.
He went on to share that he’s instead worked on the reality TV series Will & Ralf Should Know Better, which is set to launch on U&Dave later this year. Will said: “I’m just getting on with it … me and Ralf have got our own series coming out at the end of the year, in October.” He further commented in the interview last week: “We’re doing our own thing now.”
And asked if he’s kept in touch with anyone else from the cast, he said: “Not as much, no. It’s one of them [things]. In our industry it’s very strange. […] When you work together, you become very close, and we were all very close, but [then other] work takes over and family takes over.”
Will was speaking in collaboration with Smart Energy GB, an organisation that helps households and small businesses to understand how smart meters can benefit them. It has now partnered with Energy Advice Helpline for a campaign to raise awareness amid concerns over energy bills in the UK.
Discussing the campaign, Will told us: “I think everybody knows the energy prices [have] gone up and how people are struggling here and there. And listen, whatever job you do, whatever money you make, your bills are your bills.”
The former Coronation Street star said he’s found it “very easy” using a smart meter, which is a device that measures gas and electricity usage, and that shows consumption and the cost. He said that getting one “changed a lot” for him.
Will said: “I can see what we’re spending, I can see where my budget is and we can accommodate to keep it in budget. I think for people who have got bills that they’re struggling to pay, it can help. Because you can keep an eye on it and you’re not getting shocked by bills at the end of the month.”
“It stops you burying your head in the sand and you can save energy here and there, and now the kids now actively turn things off and unplug things […] It can help you save, even if it’s a little bit, it all helps,” he further commented.
He told us that keeping an eye on the data from his smart meter stops him from “stressing” each month and allows his family, which includes his two children, to make changes to address any increases in usage. He said: “It’s stopped me stressing because now I know what we’re spending.”
For further information search ‘Get a smart meter’ or visit https://www.smartenergygb.org/
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