Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CORRIE STAR’S
WILL Mellor has promised to bring out his “inner camp” for tomorrow’s Strictly Come Dancing visit to Blackpool – at least that’s if his body survives all its recent wear and tear.
The 46-year-old actor is due to perform a colourful, hip-swinging samba with partner Nancy Xu as Strictly returns to the Tower Ballroom after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.
But the “knackered” father of two admitted the series is taking its toll.
He said: “My feet are still killing me, my knees are wrecked, we are all tired.
“It’s an amazing experience but it’s tough at the same time. All of us are improving week on week because we have a bit of experience in the competition. But it doesn’t get any easier.”
Last week, the soap star broke down in tears following a dance tribute to his father Bill, who died in 2020.
Will and Nancy performed a waltz to Three Times A Lady by the Commodores, scoring 38, their highest total of the series so far.
Tomorrow they will do a samba to Hugh Jackman’s I Go to Rio from the musical The Boy from
Oz. Will said: “It’s like a fabulous Rio carnival we are bringing to Blackpool.
“After last week we can have some fun and celebrate. I’ll be bringing out the inner camp in me.”
With former England footballer Tony Adams withdrawing from the show due to injury, the remaining eight celebrities – Hamza Yassin,
Tyler West, Fleur East, Helen Skelton, Kym Marsh, Molly Rainford, Ellie Taylor and Will – hit the world-famous dancefloor tomorrow.
Blackpool is always a highlight for the show and has produced some of its most unforgettable moments – such as Ann Widdecombe being pulled around the ballroom floor by now judge Anton Du Beke while both dressed in yellow, and Ed Balls being lowered from the ceiling playing a flaming grand piano.
As a northerner performing in Blackpool for Will is – in his straight-talking words – “massive”.
As well as his Strictly performances, we will soon be seeing Will back in his acting day job as Coronation Street’s Harvey Gaskell, who makes an appearance from prison.
The druglord had turned Simon Barlow into a dealer before Simon and his adoptive mum Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) began helping police to snare Harvey. Last year, in revenge,
It’s an amazing experience but tough. All of us are improving week on week WILL MELLOR ON STRICTLY
Harvey broke out of prison and tried to kill Leanne, but instead shot and killed Natasha Blakeman by mistake.
Now Natasha’s son Sam, played by Jude Riordan, has been writing to Gaskell in prison, to ask why the villain killed his mum.
Despite initial objections from his dad Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), Sam remained determined to visit Harvey and they contacted a facilitator to determine whether he would be allowed in.
Even though Leanne visited Harvey, telling him to stay away, Sam will get his way and come face to face with his mother’s killer.
Harvey then reveals it wasn’t his mum he wanted to kill but Leanne. While Will