Will Mellor has revealed that he believes his daughter has 'inherited' his dyslexia after he suffered in school as a young child. The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 48, who is a proud dad to daughter Renée, 17, has opened up about his past struggles with the learning disability that affects how people read, write, and spell. The Coronation Street actor has shone light on how the condition has become more accepted in recent years in comparison to when he was a child in school.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK about his own dyslexia, Will said: "I was kicked out of all my lessons. I was told to wear headphones and sit at the back of the class rather than disrupt the class. I just wanted to perform since I was a kid and all that sort of stuff and school just wasn't for me and reading and stuff like that and having to sit and concentrate, I found really tough.
"But rather than nowadays, they would work out how you learn and they would work with you... But now looking back, I thought, nah, that's not good really, because I wasn't a bad kid. I just had energy and they just didn't know how to guide that and the way I learn was different. My daughter struggles and she's been diagnosed now so she has a different way of learning. I think it's hereditary what you have and you pass it down. My dad struggled at school. I'm just lucky that my career has done what it's done and I was able to actually find a way to put my energy [into something].".
It comes after Will recently opened up about what drove him to compete in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, despite turning down the show plenty of times before. Will was partnered with Nancy Xu in the ballroom, and wowed the judges with his moves before being knocked out just prior to reaching the semi-finals. The Corrie alum shared that while he was initially against the idea of dancing in front of the nation for the BBC, the death of his dad, Bill, in April 2020, taught him to put his fears aside and try something new.
Speaking to the Mirror, Will explained: "Ever since my dad passed away, I said to myself - and to anybody else who would listen - I’m going to do things that I want to do in my life. I have to live, I have to grab life and do everything I can to enjoy the most out of it. And that means testing yourself, and putting yourself in positions - I mean, that was where Strictly came from.
"I always said no to Strictly, but I thought, ‘Why am I saying no, because I’m frightened of what people think?’ Do something where you’re a bit vulnerable, and that’s when you come out the other side and you learn something." The Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps actor teasingly added:"In the end, all you’re left with is memories. So go and make some! And that’s what I want to do with my life and my career - so who knows where I’m going to end up next?".
Alongside adopting a different mindset after the death of Bill, Will also held a piece of his beloved dad with him in every dance. Explaining his subtle tribute at the time, Will shared: "I wear his ring every day for every performance. I always have a little moment with it before I go on and dance. It means he’s with me.".
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