Will Mellor makes Strictly promise as he reflects on dad’s death

Coronation Street actor Will Mellor appeared on Thursday’s This Morning alongside partner Nancy Xu to discuss his Strictly Come Dancing journey so far. The 46-year-old shared with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield how “horrendous” it was to lose his father, Bill Mellor, from cancer. The actor said Strictly Come Dancing has given his mother, Shirley Mellor, something to focus on which is why he grabbed the opportunity to take part in the competition by the horns. Reflecting on losing his father, Will began: “It was a horrendous time for me and my family, as anyone who has lost someone will know. “You’re left with memories and you know what, I just thought he lives in me now and I am just going to create memories.”I am going to say yes to more things and I am just going to grab life and run with it, and do it in his name.”Will explained his father’s death has “really changed” his outlook on life. READ MORE: Death in Paradise’s famous new face talks ‘beautiful memories’ on set Will Mellor opened up about losing his father on This Morning (Image: BBC/ITV) Will is hoping to dazzle the judges this weekend (Image: BBC) Will’s father suddenly died two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer (Image: ITV) The 2022 Strictly Come Dancing line-up (Image: EXPRESS)Will said he also wanted to take part in the series for his whole family, telling Holly and Phillip his mum looks forward to watching Strictly Come Dancing every week. “She’s got a team Will t-shirt she wears every week with my sisters and my family are all behind it, and it’s a journey we are all going on together,” he added. The star’s father, Will, suddenly died two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Will was unable to comfort his siblings and mother during the heartbreaking time due to social distancing guidelines. DON’T MISS…Strictly’s Fleur East causes stir by switching partners with co-star [LATEST]Katya Jones ‘shouts at’ Tony Adams ‘every week’ says teasing co-star [INSIGHT]Strictly’s Carlos Gu blasts GMB host after romance probe [INTERVIEW]During an interview with Death in Paradise star Ralf Little on their Two Pints with Will & Ralf podcast, the actor recalled: “He [Bill] sat in a chair outside the back door and I sat up the garden and I didn’t hug him because of the coronavirus thing and he passed away without me doing that. “He actually said to me, ‘If I got hold of you I wouldn’t be able to let go.'”That was one of the last things he said to me and it absolutely killed me.”Will and Nancy are currently focusing their energies on Halloween Week where they hope to impress the judging panel and viewers at home.