Stars from ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ return to Runcorn, stopping in at the Buddhist Temple as they film their new U&Dave show
23 years after the BBC sitcom ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ first aired on TV, Will Mellor and Ralf Little return to Runcorn to film their brand-new show, ‘Should Know Better’ for U&Dave. This series sees the pair go on a journey to open their minds and push their limits through modern day life, that often feels like the world is moving too fast around them. Ralf explained “The show is about reflecting on what we are like 20 years later, & what the world is like 20 years later”.
The first episode of Will & Ralf Should Know Better sees the pair revisit some familiar locations, where their much-loved characters often found themselves. The duo spent some time inside the former Waterloo Pub, which has now been transformed into a spectacular Buddhist Temple after the show finished in 2013. Wat Phra Singh UK is continuing its magnificent transformation, with a newly developed Peace Garden featuring a six-metre tall, bronzed Chedi statue.
Speaking about this transformation Ralf Little said “It seems like a nice correlation, that 20 years ago this was a pub that we have lots of memories in, hazy memories. Now we are a little bit older, & trying to be a little bit wiser now, it is much a calmer place.”
Going back to their roots, Will looked back on where it all began, “It all started because of a show set in Runcorn, because of a local writer, Susan Nickson, so it will always be a part of my and Ralf’s history, and our friendship. The best years of my life are because of the show that was set in Runcorn.”
When they were asked what it’s been like returning to the area to film the new show Ralf said “Coming back here, to this building, this temple, there’s a lot about our history. One of the places we are associated with but what it has transformed into, is what we are trying to reflect on and emulate in our own way.”
Summing up their time filming at the temple for their new show Will said, “Runcorn is and always will be a massive part of our history. Great times, Great memories, and good people, it’s always great to come back.”
This is not the first time they have returned to the town, following their popular podcast ‘Two Pints with Will and Ralf’ inspired by the Runcorn based show. Ahead of their tour in 2022 they were seen reenacting some of the classic show’s soundbites at some of the old locations across the town.
Earlier this year writer and creator of ‘Two Pints’, Susan Nickson came back to Runcorn and visited the temple along with some of the other projects that are a part of the scheme. Hear what she had to say about coming back and seeing the transformation of Runcorn. [Watch here]
The town continues to transform as part of the Reconnecting Runcorn scheme that is supporting the regeneration of Runcorn. This scheme was awarded £23.6m through the Governments Levelling Up agenda. Two of the project strands that are being supported by the scheme are at the temple with the new peace garden development and a new hall extension that’s expected to come soon.
Their new series ‘Will & Ralf Should Know Better’ airs on U&Dave at 10pm on 7th October, or stream all episodes for free on U. Catch them at the temple in episode one, on Monday 7th October 2024.
