Strictly Come Dancing has meant a lot to all the quarter-finalists, but for Will Mellor it has helped him and his mum through one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
The Coronation Street actor is set on winning the BBC dance competition, not for himself, but for his mum, Shirley, after his beloved dad Bill died in 2020.
Throughout the series, Will, 46, has spoken about how taking part in the show has helped him and his mum have a positive focus in their grief.
“Losing my dad was very tough,” he said, “but we’ve created some great new memories. We’ve turned a negative into some positives.”
The TV star, best known for his role as Harvey Gaskell on the ITV soap, has said that even if he doesn’t win, Strictly has helped him throughout one of the toughest periods of his life.
Will explained: “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.”
Ahead of the semi-final tonight, Will has opened up about how much winning the title with his professional partner, Nancy Xu, would mean to him.
“I am dreaming of winning the show so I can give my mum the trophy and put it on her mantelpiece,” he explained. “Strictly has been huge, not just for me but for her too. It fills her day and gives her something to look forward to.”
He added: “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.”
Will also revealed his post-dance ritual is to phone his mum to get her thoughts on his performance. He added: “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 has also paid tribute to his late dad on the show, when he performed a moving routine to the Commodores iconic song, Three Times A Lady.
The actor broke down into tears after he and Nancy completed their beautiful Waltz, as he admitted that his dad used to sing that tune to his mum.
Will is set to take to the dance floor this evening alongside the other semi-finalists Helen Skelton, Hamza Yassin, Molly Rainford and Fleur East.
