Will Mellor has told how Prince William once saved him from a rowdy fight inside a nightclub.
The Coronation Street star told Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast how he met the heir to the throne while on a night out in Boujis in Kensington, a private members' club.
Will, 50, was on crutches after injuring himself at football but was "having a great night". He was surprised when he went to the toilet and was standing next to William – and even more taken aback when the future King knew him by name.
After a few more drinks, actor Will went onto the dance floor, but was "shoulder barged" off his crutches, while others stood around "laughing at him".
© Alamy Stock PhotoReacting angrily, he "dived" on his attacker and was "going mad" but, before a fully fledged fight could break out, the Prince of Wales stepped in to calm things down.
Will told Fearne: "I've got these hands on me shoulders picking me up and I'm sort of doing what I do. And then I hear this person going, 'Leave it, Will. He's not worth it. Leave it...
"And it was Prince William, and he's got his hands on my shoulders, looking at me now, going, 'Will, leave it. He's not worth it.'"
Soon, the Prince's protection officers swarmed in, and Will was eventually thrown out of the club.
© Getty ImagesHe laughed: "This is the funny part of this story: I go home the next day, and my mate phones me and goes, 'I'll never forget seeing Prince William with his hands on your shoulders, like he was one of your mates.'"
William and Harry's nights out clubbing
Long before Prince William became heir to the throne and the father of three children, he enjoyed nights out at South Kensington's Boujis alongside his younger brother, Prince Harry.
Boujis, which sadly closed in 2014, was an A-list hotspot for celebrities, footballers, and even royals in the early Noughties.
Famously, it was where the now Princess of Wales was photographed alongside her sister Pippa Middleton during her break from Prince William in 2007.
© Getty ImagesThe club's owners, Carlo Carello and Jake Parkinson-Smith, previously told HELLO! about the drinks the royals enjoyed. The Crackbaby shots were notorious, containing passion fruit, vodka, Chambord and champagne.
"Kate and Will did love their Crackbabies on their first date at Boujis, that I can say," said Carlo. "They say it was their first public outing."
The venue was revived under the name B London after a refurbishment in 2022.
Carlo said he hoped William and Harry would party together once more like the "old days", adding that he wanted the brothers, who are believed to not be in contact, to have a "happy ending".
He said: "Harry will be able to join us for the opening via the metaverse from LA, and he and William would be welcome to come and share the table together like the old days. I'm an optimist – I think those two will have a happy ending."
Prince William issues apology over land sale
The Prince and Princess of Wales are currently enjoying a period of time out of the spotlight as it's half term for their three children, Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.
The couple is next expected to be seen in public at this weekend's Remembrance events, including a concert on Saturday and a service on Sunday, though this is yet to be officially confirmed.
© Kensington PalaceThis week, William apologised to tenants on the Bradninch Estate in Devon, which is part of his £23 million-a-year Duchy of Cornwall portfolio, over a land sale that left their futures unclear.
A spokesperson for Kensington Palace told the Observer: "We recognise that these are important and deeply personal decisions. Every tenant is being supported through the process on an individual basis, with access to practical guidance from the estate team, independent welfare and mental health support services and ongoing discussions about what is right for their circumstances."
