Following a staycation stint at a familiar Scottish castle, Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler is swapping British winter days for something brighter – checking into a giant 3D billboard on a busy London street.
The former England rugby player and mental health advocate has partnered with loveholidays to highlight how the dark winter months impact our wellbeing, and why booking a holiday can be the ultimate mood booster.
Marler has been captured taking a break in the eye-catching installation from the online travel agent, located opposite Shoreditch Boxpark, which features real sand, a sun lounger, beach inflatables and even artificial sunshine.
It comes as new research commissioned by loveholidays reveals the stark reality of Britain’s winter darkness.
A study of 2,000 working adults found that full-time employees see just 90 minutes of daylight per week during winter months.
Half of Brits (58 per cent) head to and leave work in darkness, and half (56 per cent) go without daylight for four consecutive days.
It’s no surprise that three quarters (76 per cent) say the lack of sun makes them crave a holiday in the heat.
The impact of the lack of sunlight on mental health is notable; a quarter of Brits (24 per cent) report feeling glum, while half (54 per cent) say the darkness drains their energy levels.
Three quarters (76 per cent) say a winter getaway would positively impact their mental wellbeing, with 68 per cent claiming that having a holiday plan to look forward to boosts their mood.
Joe Marler, who has been open about his own mental health journey throughout his rugby career, said: “When it gets dark, it’s easy to feel down, but it’s only for a few months a year.
“The research shows that so many people don’t see much daylight at all when the nights draw in, and that leaves them longing for a holiday.
“I’m excited to be teaming up with loveholidays to go on a mini-break in their billboard, to show people there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the sun is never far away.”
According to the study conducted by OnePoll, 37 per cent of Brits feel they need a holiday most during winter.
Of these, half (50 per cent) say it’s specifically to boost their mood, as 81 per cent admit to feeling happier when there’s sunshine outside working hours.
Joe Marler added: “It’s natural to feel happier in the sun, everyone seems to be in a better mood during the summer months.
“Sluggish is a great way of describing the feeling of waking up on a cold, dark and bleak day.
“Holidays can be a great way to fight the winter blues and see a sky full of sun instead.”
The loveholidays billboard installation will run for five days in Shoreditch, with actors holidaying inside it, creating a slice of summer paradise in the heart of East London.
It serves as a reminder that while Britain’s winter darkness is temporary, a sunshine escape is just a booking away.
