Will Mellor, the British actor best known for his roles in “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps” and “Strictly Come Dancing”, has revealed that he won’t be returning to Coronation Street anytime soon. Mellor played the role of villain Harvey Gaskell on the ITV soap opera earlier this year, and has now spoken out about his decision to leave the show.
Mellor first appeared on Coronation Street in October 2021, playing the character of Harvey in a week-long “Horror-Nation Street” special on ITV1. Harvey was introduced as a new character, and quickly became embroiled in a complex storyline involving his on-screen brother Damon Hay (played by Ciarán Griffiths). The character’s backstory was revealed to be one of mistaken identity, and he was eventually sent to prison after killing Natasha Blakeman (played by Rachel Leskovac) due to a Halloween costume mix-up.
However, Harvey’s story didn’t end there. In 2022, he was visited by Natasha’s son Sam Blakeman (played by Jude Riordan), who was seeking answers about his mother’s death. This storyline marked a new chapter in Harvey’s character, as he was forced to confront his past and the consequences of his actions. Mellor has spoken highly of his experience playing Harvey, saying that he enjoyed the complexity of the character and the opportunity to explore his motivations and backstory.
Despite enjoying his time on Coronation Street, Mellor has now revealed that he won’t be returning to the show anytime soon. In an interview with The Mirror, he explained that he feels he has done everything he needs to do with the character, and doesn’t want to overstay his welcome. “I don’t like to overdo things,” Mellor said. “When I first played Harvey, it was going in for [the special]. And I thought that was gonna be the end. Then they said ‘we want him to come back for a bit’ so I looked at the storyline and it was about [Sam] wanting to ask questions why he’d killed his mum and why he behaved the way he behaved. I thought that was really interesting. It was like this tough exterior guy and he gets unpacked by this young kid, and he makes him look at himself.”
Mellor went on to praise his co-star Jude Riordan, who played Sam Blakeman, saying that the young actor “got under his skin” and brought a new level of depth to the character. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play Harvey, saying that it was a “ticking off a box” for him as a Northern actor who had never appeared on Coronation Street before. “I was thinking [before I got the job that I was] probably the only Northerner never to do Corrie,” Mellor said. “It wasn’t daunting, because I knew what I wanted to do with [Harvey]. It was more … like a ticking off a box that you really wanted to tick and I’d never been able to. Being a Northern actor and not doing [Corrie] – so it was really nice.”
Mellor’s decision to leave Coronation Street is likely due to his desire to move on to new projects and avoid overexposure, which is a common concern for actors. By leaving the show, he is able to maintain a sense of freshness and excitement around his work, and avoid becoming typecast in a particular role. As an actor, it’s important to keep challenging yourself and taking on new roles, and Mellor’s decision to leave Coronation Street is likely a strategic move to keep his career moving forward.
In addition to his work on Coronation Street, Mellor has also been busy with his other projects. He has been a regular on the BBC sitcom “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps” since its debut in 2001, and has also appeared in a number of other TV shows and films. Mellor has also been a popular contestant on the BBC dance competition “Strictly Come Dancing”, where he has wowed audiences with his dancing skills.
Mellor’s departure from Coronation Street is likely to be a blessing in disguise for the show. With a talented cast of characters and a rich history of storylines, Coronation Street is sure to continue to thrive without Mellor’s character. The show has a long history of introducing new characters and storylines, and is always looking for ways to keep the show fresh and exciting. By bringing in new characters and storylines, Coronation Street is able to keep its audience engaged and interested, and is able to continue to thrive for many years to come.
In conclusion, Will Mellor’s decision to leave Coronation Street is likely due to his desire to move on to new projects and avoid overexposure. As an actor, it’s important to keep challenging yourself and taking on new roles, and Mellor’s decision to leave the show is likely a strategic move to keep his career moving forward. Despite his departure from the show, Mellor’s character Harvey Gaskell will always be remembered as a complex and intriguing character, and his time on Coronation Street will always be remembered as a highlight of his career.