Will Mellor, 44, is no stranger to adventure.
In this week’s On The Road With, the Line of Duty star recalls his favourite travel stories from romantic proposals in Grendada to a torturous night in Uruguay – and tells us about the time he was nearly arrested.
What’s your favourite on-the-road moment?
When I proposed to my wife Michelle. My brother-in-law flew me and all the family out to Grenada on a private jet – he didn’t know I had the ring with me!
We got to Grenada (my wife’s family is from the island) and I went for a boat trip with her and proposed just as the sun was going down.
It was absolutely unbelievable. And because her family were there when we got back to the hotel, it was extra special.
And your favourite city?
Prague. I went on a boys’ weekend a while back. It was supposed to be a big drinking weekend but I ended up going on a bit of a tour.
I just found it so beautiful. I’d seen a lot of films which use it as a backdrop, and the old streets and the bridges are just stunning. I’d like to go back with Michelle.
What is the best souvenir you’ve come home with?
I went to Borneo with my dad for an ITV show called The Parent Trip. We stayed with a tribe who were cannibals back in the day.
We went hunting with them, we ate with them, we slept under the stars and we went to an orangutan sanctuary with them.
Before we left, the tribal chief gave us this necklace that the villagers had made, along with a home-made cutlass. I’ve still got it and every time I look at it I’m reminded of the most amazing trip I had with my dad.
What has been your most life-changing moment while travelling?
The Borneo trip. It’s something I’d never normally do – going there, meeting the people and living with them.
Being up close and personal with the orangutans was amazing. One grabbed me by the arm in the sanctuary. My dad got really emotional! It was just such an amazing moment – bucket-list stuff.
What has been the worst meal you’ve had abroad?
When I was staying with the tribe I had to eat wild boar’s brains. Never again. The villagers eat every part of the animal.
And because we were their guests, they wanted us to eat first, and at the table there were tongues and hooves and all sorts.
And then the brain came out. My dad was heaving next to me and I was trying not to laugh while heaving myself. It did not go down well at all. It was like mush.
Where’s the strangest place you’ve spent the night?
When I was in Uruguay filming for The World’s Toughest Driving Tests, for every episode one of us would get good accommodation and one of us would get bad accommodation.
And one time, mine was literally a shed, and the toilet was a hole in the floor. It was 40C and there was no air conditioning. I woke up covered in mosquito bites. It was horrendous. To get through it I just drank until I passed out.
Have you ever come close to being arrested?
Yes, while doing the Bullrun Rally. I’ve done it twice – it’s fantastic. There are around 100 cars and we drove from New York to LA in one week.
It’s about 3,200 miles and you stop off in a different place every night, party and then go on to the next place. It’s brilliant fun.
But at one point I got pulled over for speeding and got handcuffed. I was told I had to pay a fine and I didn’t have a lot of cash on me, just cards.
But the policeman told me I’d go to jail if I didn’t cough up there and then. So I had to borrow money from my mate to pay it off.
Where are you hoping to go next?
Hopefully to Grenada again soon to see Michelle’s family. We were supposed to go earlier this year but Covid-19 put a stop to that.
We want to take the kids and have an amazing holiday. We love it there and it’s important for the kids to understand their heritage.
Will Mellor is partnering with KP Nuts in a guide to help men, and women, start conversations with loved ones about testicular cancer and know what to check for as part of Movember.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : On The Road With: Aled Jones on bomb scares, bullet trains and seeing sharks at Byron Bay
0 Commentaires