Will Mellor has been announced as the first contestant to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The 46-year-old said he was "so chuffed" to be taking part in the dancing competition, which will kick off in a few weeks.
He said: "I'm honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!
"Not going to lie, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about.
"This is also my mum's favourite show and she's had a really tough few years so I'm doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!".
Will is a familiar face in the TV world a he's had a number of acting roles including on Two Pints of Lager and A Packet Of Crisps, Coronation Street and Line of Duty as well as appearances on Loose Women and This Morning.
But, what else do we know about Will? Here, the Mirror takes a look into the star's life...
Will Mellor's love life
Actor Will will certainly be getting some dancing tips from his wife Michelle McSween as she worked as a professional dancer.
Will and Michelle met when they starred together on the stage musical Oh, What a Night in 1999.
The couple went on to marry in 2007 and have two children Jayden, 17, and 13-year-old Renee together.
However, as a couple the pair tend to keep a low profile with Will rarely sharing snaps of Michelle and his two children on his Instagram page.
Will and Michelle revealed they keep their spark alive by having sex in the afternoon in an interview in 2021.
When asked by OK! how they keep the flame of love burning, Will said: "Sex in the afternoon!"
And Michelle simply added: "Wa-hey!"
The I'm A Celebrity star then continued: "We just make time for each other. We hate routine – it kills the romance – so it’s important for us to step out of that when we can."
The couple also appeared on All Star Mr and Mrs in 2013 together.
Tragic loss of dad
In April 2020, Will announced the sad loss of his dad. Speaking in a video shared on his social media channels, Will said: "I’ve been going over and over in my head whether I should even do this video."
He sighed and added: "It just seems right. My dad passed away three days ago.
"There’s a lot of people out there that I haven’t got their number – I can’t let them know."
Will's dad passed away suddenly, just two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer but Will was unable to comfort his grieving family at the time due to covid restrictions.
The Two Pints of Lager star recalled the last time he saw his dad in his podcast with his former co-star Ralf Little.
He said: "'He 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 also told BBC Breakfast that his dad's passing sparked his decision to do Strictly.
He said: "I lost my dad in 2020 and I just thought from then I've gotta grab life and do things and I've gotta create new memories."
Sheridan Smith 'feud'
Will and co-star Sheridan Smith rose to fame by starring in sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
Actor Will played Gaz Wilkinson while 41-year-old Sheridan played Janet Keogh. Despite rising to the limelight together, last year Will revealed the pair are no longer in touch.
Speaking to OK!, Will said of his former co-star Sheridan: "I haven’t spoken to her in about six years. I tried calling her for about a year but she never got back to me.
"I offered her my support when her father died, but she never reached out when my dad passed away, which was quite significant for me as we were very close and she knew my family. That said a lot to me.
"I wish her well with her career and life though."
