Coronation Street star Will Mellor has spoken about how he dealt with the loss of his father during lockdown and said losing his sister helped him better deal with his death.
The actor, who will make his Coronation Street debut on March 12, said he is a "very upbeat person" and struggled after his sister died nine years ago.
Mellor explained that he "didn't deal with that very well" and turned to drink and gambling.
After his father died in April last year, Mellor told the PA news agency he "saw the signs" and was able to better cope with the loss.
He said: "Obviously, lockdown didn’t help. Because when you’ve not got to be up in the morning, there’s no excuse not to have a few drinks. You have a word with yourself. And I was sick of feeling crap, I was feeling rubbish. And now I feel great.
"You can’t change situations, but you can change yourself, you can change the repetition of what you’re doing and keep an eye out for the little things that spark things off, the little triggers. Just stay away from it."
Mellor said he is much better now and shared his advice for anyone else struggling.
He said: "Talking helps; if you’re struggling, say 'I’m struggling’. Speak to your friends, speak to your family. I know it’s easier said than done, but it does help."
Mellor has joined Corrie as drug dealer Harvey, described as an "out and out baddie".
He said: "He’s a street guy who’s turning vulnerable people into drug dealers, because they’re not on the police radar.
"And it’s the lowest of the low for me, you know, to do that to an innocent person, and to pressurise them into doing things that they don’t want to do with bully tactics.
"There’s an arrogance that comes with this character as well, that he can’t be touched. And, you know, there’s loads of different levels to how you play this character. I don’t want to be too stereotypical, but at the same time, you want to be realistic."
Coronation Street airs weeknights on ITV and Virgin Media One.
