Ex Hollyoaks hunk plays it gay in The Street

He’s best known for playing lovable rogues like Jambo in Hollyoaks and Gaz in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. But British actor Will Mellor jumped at the chance to leave his comedy roots behind and play it straight as a gay builder in BBC1’s multi award-winning drama series, The Street.

In the third episode of a six-part series (broadcast last Thursday on BBC1, but Virgin Media customers can still watch it on Catch Up TV On Demand!) Mellor played the part of Tom, who ended up seducing his married workmate Charlie, portrayed by Welsh actor and star of 300 Vincent Regan.

Speaking to the Scottish newspaper the Daily Record, Mellor said: "It's my first gay role. I play a character who is a builder on a site. He's just one of the lads, a typical blokey bloke, but none of the lads know he's gay.

"He's attracted to a guy who (is) working with him who is married with kids. My character thinks he can see in him that he's possibly bisexual or hiding that he's gay or whatever.

"On one job we have to stay away in digs while we're working and my character sees it as a chance to come on to him. I make a pass, which doesn't go so well. But then I try again to convince him that it's okay, he should just be who he is.”

For 31 year-old Mellor, the dream script was what attracted him to the role: “It is great to have a challenge and I was so pleased to win this part. The script is a dream for an actor.

"I admit I panicked a bit. It was a bit nerve wracking, but even if you have a sex scene with a woman, the night before you're a bit nervous. It did cross my mind that it could be quite a task. At the end of the day it was fine though. I'm really proud of it, it's a great job."

The Street, written by BAFTA award-winning scriptwriter Jimmy McGovern (Brookside, Cracker) follows the lives of different residents in one street. It has been rated by many TV critics as the best drama on television and has featured an all-star cast including Jane Horrocks, Jim Broadbent and Timothy Spall.