BBC Strictly star Will Mellor hits back at racist troll after being branded 'traitor' for starring in advert with own family

Coronation Street actor Will Mellor has confronted a racist troll on his social media after being labelled an “absolute traitor” for appearing in a holiday advertisement alongside his family.

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant recently starred in a promotion campaign for Solmar Villas with his wife Michelle McSween and two children - daughter Renee, aged 17, and 21-year-old son Jayden.

After the release of the advert, one X user took to their social media account and targeted Mr Mellor with a flurry of abuse.

The spiteful comments prompted the actor to publicly challenge the hateful comments and share the exchange with his Instagram followers.

Mr Mellor questioned the user as to why they thought he was a traitor, to which the troll responded with a racist tirade.

One comment saw the user claim that "British TV likes to give out the idea that mixed relationships are the norm" and stated they would have "refused to help" with such an advert.

The actor responded with fury, writing: "It's my f***ing wife and children in the Advert!!!?!?? What are you talking about!???"

Mr Mellor subsequently posted about the incident on Instagram, expressing his dismay that such prejudice persists in the current year.

"I try not to respond to a lot of this I get on social media but is this just 1 of many messages I get!" he wrote.

"How sad is it that we are in 2026 and we are still having to deal with this S**T!!!" (sic)

The holiday company rallied behind the actor, commenting: "So proud to have you and your amazing family in our ad, Will."

Singer Fleur East also voiced her support, writing: "So stupid!!! And outrageous!! It's mad that this still goes on. When will it end?"

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Adil Ray added: “Love ya Will my brother.”

Another fan of Mr Mellor said: “Your family are beautiful and you speak so lovingly about your wife.

“You’re both lucky to have each other. Some people are so miserable in their own lives trying to s**t on others. Keep your head high Will. You won this battle.”

Someone else expressed: “The most genuine family I know. How embarrassing for the troll. The delusion of some people is getting wilder and wilder.” (sic)

Mr Mellor and Ms McSween's relationship stretches back more than two decades, having first crossed paths in 1999 when they appeared together in the stage musical Oh, What a Night.

The couple have remained together ever since, building their family with Renee and Jayden.

Mr Mellor took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, a decision he made following the death of his father.

The actor explained that losing his dad shifted his perspective on life, making him realise he had been declining opportunities due to concerns about others' opinions rather than focusing on his own aspirations.

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