Will Mellor and Ralf Little find enlightenment in Runcorn

Will Mellor and Ralf Little starred in the BBC smash hit between 2001 and 2011, which was filmed in Runcorn.

Earlier this year, the duo were seen back at their old stomping ground filming a new TV show.

While fans initially thought a reunion could be being filmed, it was a new series called Will and Ralf Should Know Better.

“This is a real opportunity for us to kind of go ‘right, who are we now, where do we fit in the world, how do we learn stuff and actually take it into our real lives’,” said Ralf.

The series sees the duo challenge themselves both physically and mentally as they explore aging, spirituality and even living off the grid.

Will and Ralf in the first episode of their series (Image: Dave/U)

“I always want to feel healthier, but I’d like to be mentally stronger as well so I can deal with stuff,” said Will.

“I don’t deal with stuff very well mentally, I sort of want everything to be happy and great all the time, and that’s not life.”

In the first episode, which aired on Dave and U yesterday, Monday, the pair visited Wat Phra Singh UK in Runcorn.

The famous pub in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, The Archer, was filmed in the building on High Street which has been home to a Buddhist temple for a decade.

“You do know our old stomping ground in Runcorn, our pub where we used to film, you know it’s changed now,” Will said to Ralf in the episode.

“Yeah, it’s a Buddhist temple,” replied Ralf.

“Which is comically ironic when you consider what went on in there. They probably had to do an exorcism.”

When they arrived, the duo noted that they can still recognise the former pub, despite the fact it has been completely transformed.

The stars meditated in the Buddhist temple (Image: Supplied)“I recognise it,” said Will.

“But the carpets aren’t sticky. Very different.”

Will and Ralf sat and tried meditation while head monk Than Thirasak did some chanting for them. Ralf, however, struggled to even get his legs crossed.

“Suddenly they’re doing this chant,” he said.

“Everyone is like ‘oh this is so kind of one with the universe’ and I’m going ‘I’m going to fall over and I’m shaking like a s******g dog’.

“This is not the enlightenment I was hoping for.”

Despite the rocky start, the pair managed to open up about what makes them happy and sad and how they may need to change moving forward.

“I’ve got to learn to let go,” said Will.

“I’ve spent my life letting everything go, like nothing touched me,” added Ralf.

“But the flip side of that is that you don’t feel anything.”

The duo returned to Runcorn in May (Image: Supplied)

After a session in mindful breathing that dissolved into fits of laughter, the pair managed to compose themselves for a Thai massage and left the experience appreciating the principles of Buddhism.

“There is something about idea of Thai Buddhism and the life and the principles of it,” said Ralf.

“There’s a beautify simplicity to it that I can totally imagine makes you really happy.

“I just thought that the principles that they talked about and being self-reflective and even meditation, I really feel like I can take that into life and be a better, certainly happier person. It’s quite an exciting idea.”

Will and Ralf Should Know Better is available to watch on Dave and U, with all episodes free to stream now.