Will Mellor says he's doing Strictly for his mum after dad's tragic death: 'We need some positivity'

It wouldn’t be Strictly Come Dancing without the show’s iconic movie week, and week 3 of the contest did not disappoint as the remaining couples took to the floor to perform a selection of Hollywood inspired dances. From a Lion King inspired Samba, right through to an emotional Cha Cha Cha inspired by Flashdance, there was plenty of colour, energy and emotion in each of Saturday’s performances. However it was Will Mellor ’s performance with partner Nancy Xu that got many fans talking, as the toe tapping duo performed a highly sensual American Smooth to Dirty Dancing track Cry to Me.

Will Mellor had Strictly fans 'confused' as they watched him channel Patrick Swayze in the raunchy film Dirty Dancing on Saturday night's show. Will, who had Corrie fans gripped as drug dealer Harvey Gaskell in the ITV soap, caused Strictly Come Dancing viewers to go all hot under the collar as he and professional dance partner Nancy Xu performed the American Smooth to Cry To Me from the 1987 movie.

Strictly Come Dancing's Will Mellor admitted his "mind went blank" as he unfortunately made a mistake in his opening dance with pro Nancy Xu.The actor, 46, and pro, 31, opened the BBC One show on Saturday with a Salsa to Never Too Much by Luther Vandross, where during the routine Nancy lost one of her earrings. After performing, host Tess Daly pointed out: "Losing buttons and earrings and all sorts, we are live after all!" While during the judges' feedback, they pointed out some errors in the routine as Shirley Ballas said: "There were some mistakes this evening, I saw your little face - it's quite difficult to repick it back up but you got on with it, you did it!" Speaking to Claudia Winkleman after the dance, a deflated Will admitted that his "mind went completely blank" but pointed out that this is live TV.

Will Mellor set the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor on fire last week when he and fellow contestant Hamza Yassin came joint top of the leaderboard for the first live show of the series. And this weekend, the Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor will be looking to wow the four judges once again as he gets set to test his Salsa skills alongside Strictly pro Nancy Xu.

We’ve been captivated by his sexy moves and jokey manner – but Will Mellor admits he wouldn’t be on the show if he hadn’t developed a new perspective on life after losing his beloved dad. The star, who shot to fame in Hollyoaks, has referred to his dad Bill as his “hero” and says he was left “crippled” when he died just two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic. But while Will, 46, says it was a “horrible time”, it has taught him he should be “grabbing opportunities and making memories”.

Snake-hipped Will Mellor has revealed his tactic to win the BBC dance show after topping the leaderboard in the first week. The Coronation Street heart-throb, who played villain Harvey Gaskell in the soap, wowed viewers and judges with his sensational moves as he wiggled his way across the dancefloor on Saturday night.

Actor Will Mellor is already a favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing after a sizzling hip-shaking performance on his live show. As all 15 of the latest batch of celebrities took to the floor with their pro partners on the BBC dance show, Will impressed with his powerful performance to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin with Nancy Xu.

Will Mellor dedicated his dance to his mum and late dad as he and Wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin placed joint top of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard in week one of the new series. Saturday marked the first competition night of the popular show, with 15 couples battling it out to get as many points as possible. Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star Will performed an electric jive to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin with his partner Nancy Xu which impressed judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas so much that they gave him a standing ovation and a score of 34.

Actor Will Mellor is set to be a favourite to go on and lift the Glitterball trophy as winner of Strictly Come Dancing for 2022 after topping the leaderboard and wowing judges and fans in week one of the show. Betfair have now revealed Will’s odds of winning the show have been slashed to 6/4 from 5/1, making him the new favourite to win the show after an impressive opening week score of 34.

Hollyoaks actor Will Mellor and dancer Nancy Xu gave an electric performance as they jived to Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin on the first live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2022. The Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps star, 46, impressed judges Motsi Mabuse, 41, and Shirley Ballas, 62, so much that they gave him a standing ovation and a score of 34, leaving dancer Nancy, 31, in tears.

Strictly Come Dancing is back and one of its new celebrity stars has had fans of the show talking about more than just his new dance partner. As actor Will Mellor, 46, best known for his role as Gaz Wilkinson in the hit show Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, sat down with Strictly host Claudia Winkleman, as he spoke about his new dance partner Nancy Xu. Viewers were zoning in on a little more than his dance partner, though, as his "snug" trousers had people taking to Twitter to comment.