'MY HERO'
Corrie’s Will Mellor fights back tears as he recalls dad dying in lockdown and reveals he ‘couldn’t even say goodbye’
CORONATION Street's Will Mellor fought back tears as he recalled his dad's death in lockdown - revealing that he "couldn't even say goodbye".
The 44-year-old actor opened up about his grief during an appearance on This Morning today, and was visibly overwhelmed with emotion.
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After landing a new role in the ITV soap, the star reflected on a difficult year - prompting host Phillip Schofield to ask: "I'm so sorry, you lost your dad during lockdown didn't you?"
Will replied: "Yeah, it's been horrendous, it has been really tough.
"I know a lot of people have been going through it out there and it is hard, it's the toughest thing to lose someone like that.
"He was my hero and we did everything together, but to do it in lockdown when I couldn't be with him, I couldn't hug him, I couldn't say goodbye - not in the right way…"
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Will trailed off as he took a deep breath and gestured at his tear-filled eyes and said: "It still gets me now, it's horrendous. It's so hard."
The star went on to add that he is able to wear one of his dad's rings while in character on Corrie, which helps to ground him when he is unexpectedly hit with a wave of grief.
He explained: "I wear his ring every day, they let me wear it for the character - I'm trying to be positive about it and think I'm going to take him with me on whatever I do.
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"I got him on the street and he's part of my character; I look down if I'm having a difficult time - grief hits you when you least expect it.
"He's with me on the cobbles, so it makes me smile."
Sympathetic Holly Willoughby responded: "I wish I could give you a huge hug right now because I think you really need one."
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Will Mellor breaks down in tears as he reveals his dad has died
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Will announced his dad Bill's passing in an emotional Twitter video in April last year.
He described the situation as the "worst week of his life" as he struggled to come to terms with the loss.
He later clarified that his dad did not die from coronavirus, but has not revealed his cause of death.