Strictly Come Dancing' star Will Mellor has revealed that he is doing the BBC competition for his mum after a "rough" few years.
The former Coronation Street and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor will take to the famous ballroom next Friday night, September 23, and says he wants to make her "proud" after what has been a difficult time for his family, reports The Mirror.
The popular show, which is celebrating 20 years this year, was supposed to launch this Saturday, September 17, but has been postponed until next week following the Queen's death.
Speaking to New magazine, the 46-year-old said: “For years I’ve always been worried about doing big reality shows because of what affect it can have... but my mindset changed when my dad passed away in 2020.
“You realise life is short so I decided to just say “yes” to more things. You’ve got to grab life and make memories and do new things and challenges.”
The actor continued: “It’s my mum’s favourite show too. She’s had a rough time these last couple of years, so I want to bring a bit of positivity.”
Will - who has also landed big roles in Hollyoaks, Casualty, Broadchurch and Line of Duty – revealed he was looking forward to getting out of his comfort zone.
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood has already tipped him as one to watch this year.
Speaking to The Mirror, Craig said: “Will Mellor is a good actor - I think he'll be able to act his way through it. He's got a great personality, he'll provide some funny moments.”
And it seems the funny moments might have already started - as Will revealed he thought the Paso Doble was a dessert rather than a dance.
Speaking about how rehearsals had been going so far, he shared the routines had already started to take a toll on his body.
Describing it as “full on”, the actor said he was “aching in places I didn’t know I could ache” and compared it to feeling like he’d been “run over by a mini”.
But he is determined to do well for his mum Shirley, as well as his wife of 22 years, Michelle, and their two kids Jayden, 17, and 13-year-old Renee.
As Will’s wife Michelle is a professional dancer, she might even be able to give him some tips!
The couple met in 1999 when they starred together in stage musical Oh, What a Night. They tied the knot in 2007.
They tend to keep a low profile with Will rarely sharing snaps of Michelle and his two children on his Instagram page.
But Will shared how they keep the spark between them alive all these years later.
He told OK! magazine: "Sex in the afternoon!" to which Michelle simply added: "Wa-hey!"
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