Will Mellor: Who is the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestant and what is he famous for?

Actor is one of 15 contestants strutting their stuff on the dancefloor this year

It’s time to put up your disco ball... because Strictly Come Dancing is back.

The hit BBC reality series has unveiled a whole new roster of contestants for 2022, including TV presenters, athletes, and pop stars.

You can check out the full line-up here.

Among the contestants competing for the Glitterball trophy this year is Will Mellor. He is coupled up with Nancy Xu.

But who is Mellor, and what has he said about appearing on Strictly?

Mellor, 46, is an actor who rose to fame in 1995 when he joined the cast of Hollyoaks as James “Jambo” Bolton until 1998.

He is best known for his roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Broadchurch.

The star’s other credits include Line of Duty, and, most recently, ITV soap Coronation Street, in which he played Harvey Gaskell.

Mellor has also had a music career, reaching number five in the charts with his cover of Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You” in 1998.

He is married to a dancer, Michelle McSween, which could come in handy for Strictly. The couple share two children, 18-year-old Jayden and 14-year-old Renee.

Mellor and partner Nancy Xu

(BBC/Guy Levy)

Speaking ahead of his Strictly appearance, Mellor said: “I’ve been asked to do things over the years and I’ve never wanted to do them, I was always a bit wary of doing things that might affect my career in a negative way.

“My mindset changed a couple of years ago after I lost my dad. Once I had gone through the grief I just realised you have to grab life and start saying ‘yes’ to things...

“I want to do something that’s a challenge. It’s scary and it’s out of my comfort zone, but those are the things that you remember, and that’s why I decided to do it. Also it’s my mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough couple of years, so it will give her something to look forward to and to smile about.”

Mellor and Xu topped the Strictly leaderboard in week one with their explosive Jive to Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca”.

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday 1 October at 6.30pm on BBC One.