Will Mellor is preparing to release his memoir, Where There’s a Will: My Story, on 5 November. The 50-year-old actor, known for his roles in British television dramas, opens up about his family history, a brief and ill-fated stint in the music industry, and a paternity rumor that has haunted him for years.
Mellor began his acting career in Stockport, Greater Manchester, joining the soap opera Brookside at the age of 16. He later gained wider recognition playing Jambo in Hollyoaks in 1995. His television credits include appearances in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Line of Duty, and Mr Bates vs the Post Office. He has also been a regular in Coronation Street since 2021. His recent factual work includes the series Convictions Gone Bad.
Family history and Strangeways prison
A significant portion of Mellor’s upcoming book explores the complex relationship he had with his father. He describes his father as “a bit of a Del Boy,” referencing the cunning protagonist from the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. This comparison highlights his father’s involvement in dodgy activities, including obtaining stolen goods and managing vehicle inspections improperly.
Mellor reveals that his father was imprisoned at Strangeways for nearly a year. The incarceration left Mellor, his mother, and his four sisters without protection. His father reportedly hated every second of his time in prison. Mellor states that this experience made him determined never to follow a similar path, ensuring he stayed away from the criminal justice system.
His father passed away during the coronavirus pandemic. Mellor expresses regret that he never got to say goodbye, noting that he would like to bring his father back to life just to hug him again.
Music career and paternity rumor
Beyond his acting success, Mellor reflects on a short-lived music career that he ultimately abandoned. He recalls a moment when someone told him, “You’ve changed.” He describes this comment as both the worst and best thing he ever heard, as it prompted him to leave the record industry. He admits he had become someone he did not like and that the music business was not for him.
Mellor also addresses a personal controversy involving a woman who claimed to have had his child. The situation escalated when the girl attended school and told peers that her father was a television personality. A DNA test later proved that Mellor was not the father. He expresses sympathy for the woman, noting that she had been lied to, and says he wishes he could change that part of his past.
Despite these challenges, Mellor considers his greatest achievement to be having a stable family. He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 27 years. They have two children and live in Buckinghamshire. He describes them as a great team.
Personal reflections and renovations
In the interview, Mellor shares several personal quirks and regrets. He admits to picking his nose, a habit he attributes to his bent nose, which he dislikes along with his ears. He jokes that his ears do not stop growing, resulting in their current size.
He also discusses his disappointment at not making the final of the dance competition Strictly Come Dancing, having reached the semi-final stage. When asked about the greatest love of his life, he names his wife. If he could choose between fame, money, or more sex, he says he would want all three.
Currently, Mellor is dealing with a home renovation project that has been ongoing for six months. He says he constantly thinks about the phrase, “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs,” as the work drives him up the wall. He admits he does not read books, so he feels ashamed of all of them.
Where There’s a Will: My Story is published on 5 November.
Source: The Guardian
