**Canadian Influencer Explores Life in ‘UK’s Fattest Town’ and Shares Surprising Reflections on Ebbw Vale**
A Canadian fitness influencer has cast an international spotlight on Ebbw Vale, a town in south Wales heavily associated with the nation’s ongoing obesity crisis. Will Tennyson, whose YouTube channel is known for fitness content and food challenges, arrived in Ebbw Vale curious about its reputation as the “UK’s fattest town”. However, his findings were nuanced, delivering a perspective on social and economic realities faced by residents, and painting a more complex picture than statistics alone may suggest.
Ebbw Vale, nestled in the south Wales valleys, has amassed unwanted notoriety for having a significant proportion of its population struggling with obesity and related health issues. Reports have highlighted an abundance of fast food outlets: 73% of local eateries are quick-service restaurants. Upon his arrival, Tennyson remarked on this prevalence, sharing his surprise at being handed takeaway menus as soon as he checked into his hotel. Local staff, perhaps jokingly, referenced the town’s reputation, suggesting the only thriving businesses were kebab and vape shops.
Venturing out the next morning, Tennyson was struck by the sheer volume and visibility of fast food establishments. “It’s not just a stereotype: there really are kebab shops on every corner,” he observed, joking that he and his team passed fifteen in a short stroll. Yet, he did not rush to judgement, opting instead to engage with locals and sample the town’s fare himself, starting with a “Big Daddy” breakfast at Frenchie’s Café—an enormous meal with sausages, bacon, black pudding, eggs, beans, and ample bread.
Over 24 hours, Tennyson immersed himself in the local scene, finding warmth and camaraderie among the residents. When speaking to a café employee about the challenges of healthy living, she cited low wages and the rising cost of living as major constraints. “It’s difficult when prices keep going up,” she noted. Tennyson, for his part, expressed admiration for the good spirits he encountered, suggesting the town’s friendliness was as notable as its cuisine.
Nevertheless, there was a recurrent theme: many locals linked health difficulties not only to personal choices, but to broader economic pressures. One woman, who had shed over nine stone in the past year, lamented that unhealthy lifestyles had become “normalised,” and cited lack of education and limited opportunities as contributing factors. A young man explained he couldn’t afford gym membership, and with financial pressures mounting, cheap, calorie-rich meals were the only realistic option.
Tennyson visited the town’s only greengrocer, Fresh N Fruity, and was taken aback by its emptiness. He highlighted stark price differences: six duck eggs at £3.50 compared to a £2.95 breakfast deal at Greggs, or a whole pizza for £1.50 at a neighbouring shop. Conversations with retail workers confirmed fruit and veg aisles were often deserted and healthy eating “just isn’t affordable for many”.
As the day unfolded, Tennyson witnessed the social dimension food outlets played, particularly the local McDonald’s which was overflowing with customers. “It feels like the centre of the community,” he commented, noting long queues and a bustling environment inside. During a later visit to a pizza takeaway offering generous deals, he observed yet another shop across the street advertising discounted alcohol, creating what he called a “perfect storm” for unhealthy habits. “If you’re trying to make better choices, it’s a tough, nearly impossible environment,” he remarked.
Drawing from his own experiences of significant weight loss, Tennyson pondered whether he could have succeeded in Ebbw Vale. “Growing up somewhere like this, it’s so easy to fall into unhealthy patterns. These habits pass down through generations,” he said. He also observed the lack of outdoor exercise in town during his stay, and speculated that for many, gym memberships and wholesome food were simply out of reach.
In summing up his visit, Tennyson acknowledged the formidable barriers locals face in pursuing healthier lifestyles. “What struck me most is not just the scale of the issue, but how people here are in some ways trapped by their circumstances,” he said. “When stretching money to put food on the table is the priority, health becomes a luxury people can’t afford.” While the town has gained an unfortunate title, he concluded with empathy, noting the resilience and kindness of the community in the face of considerable adversity.
Tennyson’s video reportage, while light-hearted at times, highlights the convergence of economic hardship and environmental factors driving the area’s health crisis. His journey through Ebbw Vale offers a nuanced narrative—one where statistics meet real lives and good humour perseveres in the face of a weighty challenge.