In a recent revelation, TV legend Will Mellor has confirmed that he will not be reprising his role as Harvey Gasal in Coronation Street. Harvey, one of the show’s most notorious villains, first appeared in 2021 and was infamously involved in the tragic death of Natasha Blakeman, who was mistakenly targeted while he was aiming for Leanne Battersby. After being imprisoned, Harvey’s criminal antics seemed far from over. His return to the storyline, prompted by Natasha’s son Sam’s quest to understand the motive behind his mother’s murder, hinted at further drama.
Earlier this year, the introduction of Harvey’s brother, Damon Hay, suggested the possibility of a resurgence of Harvey’s nefarious activities. With Damon also behind bars and Harvey proposing a joint effort to rebuild their criminal empire, fans anticipated more chaos. However, Mellor has now put those speculations to rest, stating that he feels he has explored the character’s story to its fullest.
In an interview with The Mirror, Mellor explained his decision, saying, “I think I’ve done everything I need to do with it. Sometimes you can overstay your welcome, and it starts to dilute the impact of the character and the storyline. I don’t want to weaken it by sticking around too long.” Mellor added that while he initially thought his role as Harvey would be a one-off, the compelling storyline involving Sam’s visit was intriguing enough to prompt a brief return. He found the dynamic between Harvey and the young character, who challenged his hardened exterior, to be fascinating.
Despite his departure from Coronation Street, Mellor remains active in the entertainment industry. He recently starred in the groundbreaking drama Mr Bates V The Post Office and appeared alongside Sheridan Smith in The Teacher. His extensive experience includes notable roles in EastEnders, Hollyoaks, and Brookside, but Mellor has no current plans to join another soap opera, such as Emmerdale. He humorously noted, “It’s not like I go around looking to be in all the soaps. I’m not