Will Mellor has pulled out of the upcoming episode of Sunday Brunch due to illness, the Channel 4 show confirmed on Saturday evening (November 7). The presenter lineup for Sunday's live broadcast will proceed without the former Hollyoaks actor, who was originally scheduled to appear.
Guest Panel Shake-Up
Presenters Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer had been expecting a line-up including Gregory Porter, Philippa Dunne, Daniel Weyman, Max Pope, Django Django, and Will Mellor. However, the show announced that Mellor would not take part due to a health concern, though he could appear on another episode at a later date.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the Sunday Brunch team posted a photo of the actor and explained his absence. The caption read: "Unfortunately @willmellor76 isn’t able to join us tomorrow due to illness. Wishing you a speedy recovery and we look forward to having you back on the show soon."
Fan Reactions
Fans of the show sent their well-wishes to Mellor in response. One person commented: "Get well soon Will", followed by a love heart. A second added: "Does he want me to take his place? Get well soon, Will", while a third echoed the sentiment, writing: "If you have a spare seat, give me a shout, get well soon, Will."
Earlier this week, Mellor appeared on This Morning and discussed his upbringing, confessing he would "pass out" from crying excessively over his stern father. During Thursday's episode (November 5), the former Strictly Come Dancing star spoke with presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard about his new memoir, Where There's A Will, reflecting on a "tough upbringing" with his late father, Bill Mellor.
He said: "He is my hero, he's not here anymore but I looked up to him more than anybody else. I came along and because I was the only boy he sort of said to my mum, alright you've got your girls and I've got him and in his mind to prepare me for what he thought was going to be a tough life, he had to toughen me up."
He added: "He didn't want me to go down his road and you end up in prison and so he thought well if he's frightened of me, he won't mess about when he's away from me." Mellor continued: "It came from the right place but as a kid I didn't understand it because I worshipped him. So when he disciplined me I used to cry a lot, because I didn't understand it. I used to cry that much sometimes I'd pass out trying to get my breath and then he'd hit me for passing out. I didn't understand it but it was because he was so terrified of me becoming a rogue or rebel or being in trouble with the police, he thought. Also, his way of bringing me up was a reflection of his upbringing. he had a really tough upbringing."
Career Highlights
Mellor has built a successful acting career spanning decades, with notable roles including Lee Castleton in Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, Gaz Wilkinson in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Harvey Gaskell in Coronation Street, and Jambo in Hollyoaks.
Sunday Brunch airs on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am on Channel 4.
