Some of biggest stars on television have joined a video call tonight to urge the nation to stay connected in lockdown.
Ant and Dec, This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, pop mogul will.i.am, David Walliams, and Davina McCall are among the stars who will be seen dialling in on ITV, when the short film is played just before 9pm.
The initiative is part of the channel’s mental wellness campaign Britain Get Talking and is being released to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week today.
Other stars among more than 20 taking part include Harry Redknapp, Laura Whitmore, Tinie Tempah, Julie Etchingham, John Barnes, Anna Friel, Jason Watkins, Jim Carter and Sheila Hancock.
They will encourage Britons to not only reach out to their loved ones, but also friends and relatives who may not be expecting a call.
The stars will say: “Because the ones not expecting your call could be the ones who need it most. Show a friend you’re thinking of them. Britain Get Talking.”
The film, supported by the charities Mind and YoungMinds, will be broadcast on ITV and STV during the adverts for Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having a Laugh just before 9pm tonight.
ITV research carried out by YouGov showed that 55 per cent of us were more worried than usual about our families’ mental health, and 57 per cent of us were more conscious of the need to look after our mental wellbeing.
One third of respondents to the survey said they had got back in touch with old friends and family since lockdown began.
ITV says Get Britain talking has encouraged more than 6.1 million people take immediate action to text or call a friend or family since March 21.
Ant said: "It’s incredible that as a result of the campaign more than six million people have got in touch with someone so far.”
Dec added: "So for this Mental Health Awareness Week, we're stepping it up another notch and asking people to reach out beyond their immediate family and close friends. Who could you reach out to who might really appreciate it? Britain, let’s keep talking."
