Celebrities back Stoke Newington prostate cancer advert
L-R Adi Akinbiyi, David Morrisey, Kenny Jones and Errol McKellar - Credit: Archant
A celebration of male friendship and community feeling was showcased at the star-studded premiere of a Prostate Cancer UK advert, which was partially filmed in Hackney.
Dennis Rootical attends the launch of UK Prostate Cancer's new UK advert at Anchor Bankside in Southwark, central London. - Credit: Archant
The TV advert, created by award-winning director Tom Beard, features different scenes about the strength of male friendships, aiming to break down the barriers in talking about prostate cancer.
The Who drummer Kenney Jones, actors David Morrissey and Timothy West CBE, former Premier League footballer Ade Akinbiyi and Hackney mechanic Errol McKellar backed the Men United Arms campaign which, alongside the advert, includes a pop-up pub.
Jones, said: “Keeping friendships alive – and friends – means something very special to me. I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and, thankfully, treated for it successfully. But having a close shave like that definitely makes you think.”
Real friends, and men who have been affected by prostate cancer, appear in the advert.
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Lucky Seven record shop, in Stoke Newington Church Street, is one of the locations – two friends are filmed reminiscing about music.
Actor Dennis Rootical, who starred in the scene, said: “Having lost my father and uncle to prostate cancer it was good to be able to give something back to the charity by taking part in the advert. I hope people will watch it, enjoy it, and sign for Men United.”
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Vivienne Francis, of Prostate Cancer UK, added: “We did some research on keeping friendships alive and we found that men start to lose their friends as they get a bit older – just when they might need them the most.
“I think that it will be great for guys in Hackney to see this as it’s obviously very close to home and they can recognise the record shop.”
On average more than 100 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the borough and of those, almost 20 die of the disease. One in four Afro-Caribbean men will develop the disease. For more visit prostatecancer.org.
