Will Mellor is determined to get his hands on the Strictly Glitterball trophy – so he can hand it over to his mum, Shirley.
The Coronation Street star says his stint in the BBC dance contest has helped them both cope with losing his beloved dad Bill in 2020.
But being crowned this year’s champion would be another huge lift.
Will, who will be taking to the dancefloor in tonight’s semi-final, said: “I am dreaming of winning the show so I can give my mum the trophy and put it on her mantelpiece.
“Strictly has been huge, not just for me but for her too. It fills her day and gives her something to look forward to.
“She has a ‘Team Will’ T-shirt that she wears every week. She puts it on in the morning and doesn’t take it off until she goes to bed.
“She’s the first person I call when I dance to make sure she’s enjoyed it, so it’s been huge.
“And that’s why I’ve wanted to stay in as long as I could so she could be on the journey with me.
“I ring my mum every day, especially before bed, as I always worry that she’s sad. But she’s one of those brave women… one of those queens.”
Will, 46, and his pro partner Nancy Xu paid an emotional tribute to his dad when they waltzed to the Commodores hit, Three Times a Lady.
It is a song that Bill used to sing to wife Shirley, and Will was in tears after performing the routine.
“Losing my dad was very tough, but we’ve created some great new memories,” he said. “We’ve turned a negative into some positives.”
Actor Will, who plays gangster Harvey Gaskell in Corrie, has also appeared in Hollyoaks, EastEnders, Broadchurch and Line of Duty. But his dancing career is proving to be just as successful.
He is one of three remaining celebs – along with Helen Skelton and Hamza Yassin – who have not faced a dance-off, and he is one of this year’s favourites to win.
Shirley will no doubt be watching his every move on tonight’s show – delayed from its usual Saturday slot because of England’s World Cup quarter-final.
But Will’s wife Michelle McSween, 36, daughter Renee and son Jayden will miss his performance because their family-owned Mellor Performing Arts School has its Christmas show.
Will admits he’s been struggling a bit this week. He said: “It’s been going bad… my brain hurts, my legs hurt, my back hurts. I feel like I’ve been run over by lots of small cars.
“Learning one dance is hard enough… learning two is another level. I’m also performing with a cape this week, which is asking for trouble.”
But whatever happens tonight, Will says Strictly has changed his outlook on life for ever.
He said: “My mind often tells me I can’t do something. It has stopped me from doing things like Strictly for a long time because I’ve always worried about what people would say and listened to people who said it would damage my acting career.
“But losing my dad has changed all that. Life is for living – it isn’t a rehearsal. You only have one life and you need to live it to the max.
“Strictly is the most I have been tested, both mentally and physically. The pressure is unbelievable. It is terrifying, but it is also exhilarating when you accomplish things – and now I have the bug to accomplish lots of things.”
So while Will is looking forward to a well-earned rest over Christmas, he has already started making a long list of New Year’s Resolutions.
He said: “I feel like I’ve been wrapped up in this Strictly bubble for months, so I’m looking forward to getting my Christmas jumper on and spending time with my family.
“Then next year I want to do a book. I want to do music and I want to do travel shows. There are lots of things I want to do, so watch this space. You’ll all be sick of me next year.”
