{"id":19728,"date":"2022-08-04T11:17:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T09:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1690459"},"modified":"2022-08-04T11:31:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T09:31:27","slug":"strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictly Come Dancing 2022 confirms Will Mellor as first in line-up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Lidia Molina-Whyte\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Thursday, 04 August 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p>This year\u2019s first <a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/entertainment\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-release-date\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> contestant has been announced! Actor Will Mellor confirmed he\u2019ll be putting on his dancing shoes for a chance to claim the coveted glitterball on BBC Breakfast this morning.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"&quot;twitter-tweet&quot;\" data-dnt=\"&quot;true&quot;\"><p lang=\"&quot;en&quot;\" dir=\"&quot;ltr&quot;\">Welcome Will Mellor! Our very first celebrity of <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Strictly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;\">#Strictly<\/a> 2022! ????<br\/><br\/>???? <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/t.co\/JdoPt2TKJP&quot;\">https:\/\/t.co\/JdoPt2TKJP<\/a> <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mellor76?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;\">@Mellor76<\/a> <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/t.co\/zpREa5N9Le&quot;\">pic.twitter.com\/zpREa5N9Le<\/a><\/p>\u2014 BBC Strictly \u2728 (@bbcstrictly) <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/twitter.com\/bbcstrictly\/status\/1555084236218155009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&quot;\">August 4, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async=\"\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;\" charset=\"&quot;utf-8&quot;\"\/><p>The 20th season is set to return in autumn and the BBC has already confirmed its <a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/entertainment\/talent-shows\/strictly-come-dancing-professionals-line-up\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Strictly professionals line-up<\/a>, with some new faces joining following Oti Mabuse and Alja\u017e \u0160korjanec\u2019s exits.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll have to wait a while to find out who will take to the dance floor with Will but, in the meantime, read on for everything you need to know about the first confirmed Strictly contestant.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Who is Will Mellor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--full=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=300%2C200,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C236&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=355%2C236&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=405%2C270&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=408%2C272&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C370&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=556%2C370&quot;\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-1080274\" align=\"\" size-full=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--full=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/01\/will-mellor-coronation-street-3bb97b2.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" title=\"&quot;&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><strong>Age:\u00a0<\/strong>46<\/p>\n<p><strong>Job: <\/strong>Actor<\/p>\n<p><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/willmellor76\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">@willmellor76<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Twitter: <\/strong><a href=\"\/\/twitter.com\/Mellor76&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">@Mellor76<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Will\u2019s acting career spans more than 30 years and includes roles in Hollyoaks, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and Broadchurch. He also starred in Line of Duty season 3 as PC Rod Kennedy. Most recently, he played villain Harvey Gaskell in Coronation Street.<\/p>\n<p>Will is also a singer \u2013 his 1998 single When I Need You reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart \u2013 and co-host of the Two Pints with Will and Ralf podcast.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What has Will Mellor said about joining Strictly 2022?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of joining this year\u2019s Strictly cast, Will said: \u201cI\u2019m honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year! Not going to lie, it\u2019s totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that\u2019s what life is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also revealed who he\u2019s doing the show for. \u201cThis is also my Mum\u2019s favourite show,\u201d he said, \u201cand she\u2019s had a really tough few years so I\u2019m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!\u201d<\/p> <h2><strong>When does Strictly Come Dancing 2022 start?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>An official air date for this year\u2019s Strictly hasn\u2019t been confirmed just yet. However, based on previous years, we can make an educated guess. In 2021, the show returned on 18th September, so we\u2019d expect a similar timeline this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in 2022. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our\u00a0<a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/tv-listings\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0or visit our\u00a0<a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/entertainment\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Entertainment<\/a>\u00a0hub for the latest news.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/magazine-subscription\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener noopener noreferrer\" noreferrer=\"\" data-auth=\"&quot;NotApplicable&quot;\" data-linkindex=\"&quot;0&quot;\">subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, l<\/strong><strong>isten to the\u00a0<a href=\"\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/podcasts\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener noopener noreferrer\" noreferrer=\"\" data-auth=\"&quot;NotApplicable&quot;\" data-linkindex=\"&quot;1&quot;\">Radio Times podcast<\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Lidia Molina-Whyte Published: Thursday, 04 August 2022 at 12:00 am This year\u2019s first Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been announced! Actor Will Mellor confirmed he\u2019ll be putting on his dancing shoes for a chance to claim the coveted glitterball on BBC Breakfast this morning. Welcome Will Mellor! Our very first celebrity of #Strictly 2022! [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":19729,"template":"","categories":[5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up.jpg",852,568,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up.jpg",800,533,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up.jpg",852,568,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/08\/strictly-come-dancing-2022-confirms-will-mellor-as-first-in-line-up.jpg",852,568,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Lidia Molina-Whyte Published: Thursday, 04 August 2022 at 12:00 am This year\u2019s first Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been announced! Actor Will Mellor confirmed he\u2019ll be putting on his dancing shoes for a chance to claim the coveted glitterball on BBC Breakfast this morning. Welcome Will Mellor! Our very first celebrity of #Strictly 2022!&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/19728"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}