I’ve spoken before about the power of celebrities and the profound effect they can have on healthy eating in the UK.

Promoting healthy food is an easy sell because it makes celebrities look good and gets them those vital column inches in the nation’s press.

In America a dizzying roster of stars from actors Harrison Ford, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale to musicians Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Sheryl Crow have backed the country’s milk moustache campaign. Here in Britain, Gordon Ramsay, Usher, Rupert Grint and others have promoted a similar initiative.

Yet there’s been no such push on fresh produce, despite it being every bit as healthy as milk. That’s why here at FPJ we’re launching a new series - Heroes of Healthy Eating - where we talk to celebrities and high profile public figures about their love of fresh produce and what can be done to get people eating more healthily.

This month we’re talking to Legally Blonde, The Musical and ex-Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon about all things fresh (see p10).

Despite the best will in the world, the government’s 5 A DAY campaign has failed to get fruit and veg consumption moving upwards, even if there is now general understanding of the message.

Celebrities can really inspire young people in particular. It doesn’t mean millions have to be lavished on PR campaigns that are out of the reach of most. It can just mean getting celebrities talking publicly about their favourite fruit and veg. Even a few words can be extremely persuasive.