Stars including Olivia Colman and Matthew Modine rally behind Veganuary 2026 campaign<\/p>\n
29 December 2025: <\/strong>As Veganuary 2026 approaches, some of the UK\u2019s best-loved celebrities are inspiring people to try a vegan diet for January and beyond. TV personalities Kate Lawler and Kirsty Gallacher are taking part in the month-long challenge, while Stranger Things actor Matthew Modine and other famous faces are showing their support for the initiative. New YouGov research* commissioned by Veganuary has revealed that more than one in ten UK adults (12%) say they\u2019re likely to try Veganuary this January.<\/p>\n New celebrity supporters and Ambassadors join for 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Veganuary welcomes a wave of new official supporters this year: Stranger Things actor Matthew Modine; writer, broadcaster and disability advocate Samantha Renke; Coronation Street actor and theatre star Victoria Ekanoye; bestselling novelist and producer Jane Fallon; Parent Trap actor Elaine Hendrix, and popular content creator Priyansh Parekh, the internet\u2019s self-proclaimed \u2018Tofu King\u2019.<\/p>\n Matthew Modine urges fans to think about real-world stakes facing our planet \u2013 which are far more frightening than anything from the Upside Down. In his words:<\/p>\n \u201cIf we humans, us, were killed and eaten by animals being eaten and killed by us, humans, at the same rate we humans, us, kill and eat animals, we humans, us, would be extinct in about 3 days. If I was only talking about chickens \u2014 which is roughly 140 million chickens killed per day \u2014 the United States population would be wiped out in only 3 days,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe point is, we humans have evolved into super consumers of everything the earth we share has to offer. In doing so, we\u2019ve simultaneously evolved into something like the equivalent of a life destroying comet. In order to continue evolving and prospering, we must quickly evolve away from the destructive behaviors we currently have. With nearly 9 billion people consuming the limited resources of our planet, producing more waste than this poor world can deal with \u2014 we have to become smarter \u2014 or face extinction like the thousands of species currently disappearing each year. Cutting back on the consumption of animal flesh is a very tiny step each of us can take to make the planet more sustainable and humane.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds: \u201cTake a moment to learn more about proactive steps you can take by following Veganuary.\u201d<\/p>\n [Access images and quotes for all Ambassadors<\/a> here.]<\/strong><\/p>\n Celebrities take on the Veganuary challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n For 2026, celebrities are also taking on the 31-day challenge to try vegan. Kate Lawler, TV presenter and dedicated animal campaigner, shares her reasons for taking part:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m signing up for Veganuary because I gave up eating meat in 2017, I\u2019ve reduced the amount of fish and dairy I\u2019ve eaten over the years and keep thinking about going fully vegan. I enjoy a largely plant-based diet so Veganuary appeals to me, not only for the health benefits but because I care about animal welfare. I encourage others to join me, it\u2019s just for a month so we can explore more delicious plant-based foods. I\u2019m really looking forward to trying new recipes as it\u2019s never been easier to go vegan.\u201d<\/p>\n TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, who has long been a passionate advocate for animal welfare, also explains her decision to participate this year:<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m delighted to be joining the millions taking part in Veganuary\u2019s 31-day challenge. Not only does it help animals but it will help the planet too. Making big changes can feel daunting doing it alone but that\u2019s why taking part as a community feels really supportive. Diet and fitness is really important to me so I\u2019ll be checking out the recipes on the Veganuary website for lots of helpful tips. It also doesn\u2019t need to be a lifelong commitment. I\u2019m signing up for a month and really interested to know how I\u2019ll feel at the end of it.\u201d<\/p>\n [Download photos of Kate<\/a> and Kirsty<\/a> here.]<\/strong><\/p>\n Celebrity recipes for Veganuary 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n This year, award-winning actor Olivia Colman<\/strong> joins the line-up for Veganuary\u2019s 2026 Celebrity eCookbook, sharing her favourite Tadka Dal. She is joined by chefs Ainsley Harriott<\/strong>, Levi Roots<\/strong> and Kwoklyn Wan<\/strong>, each contributing a signature plant-based dish.<\/p>\n Ainsley\u2019s Island Black Bean Burgers with Avocado Salsa bring his trademark bold flavours to Veganuary participants, Levi\u2019s Ital Stew offers Caribbean comfort, and Kwoklyn\u2019s Veggie Wonton Soup is a vegan twist on this Chinese classic. The Parent Trap actor and Dancing with the Stars finalist Elaine Hendrix also shares her Sugar-Free Chocolate Mousse.<\/p>\n Alongside the celebrity eCookbook, Veganuary is launching a brand new resource for 2026 participants: the Plant Protein Cookbook. Packed with protein-rich recipes from athletes, fitness coaches and nutrition experts, it proves that plant-based diets can fuel performance. Contributors include Olympic rowing champion Imogen Grant<\/strong>, nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert<\/strong>, Team GB powerlifter Sophia Ellis<\/strong>, vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian<\/strong> and mountaineer Kuntal Joisher<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The free eCookbooks are available exclusively to everyone who registers to take part in Veganuary 2026 via the website.<\/p>\n [Access recipes and hi-res photos from the Celebrity Cookbook<\/a> and Plant Protein Cookbook<\/a>.]<\/strong><\/p>\n Now entering its twelfth year, Veganuary is celebrating progress, not perfection with the theme \u2018New Year, Same You\u2019. The campaign encourages people to make small, positive swaps rather than completely changing their diet, showing that plant-based eating can fit easily into everyday life.<\/p>\n More than 25 million people worldwide took part in 2025,** with new campaigns launching in Iceland and Ireland for the first time this year. Supporting this wider global reach, the Veganuary pledge is now available in Hindi, making the 31-day challenge accessible to millions more people around the world.<\/p>\n![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/veganuary.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Matthew-Modine-Headshot-1800x2400.jpg\")
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