{{Short description|English actor (born 1990s)}} {{good article}} {{Infobox person | name = Calum Lill | birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|28|2024|06}} | occupation = {{unbulleted list|Actor|Car salesman}} | years_active = 2019–present | television = ''Coronation Street'' | partner = Roberta McClarron (2021–) }} '''Calum Lill''' (born 1995 or 1996) is a British actor. After graduating, Lill had guest roles in ''Doctors'' and ''Holby City'' in 2019, and he played the recurring role of Carlton Smith in the soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' in 2021. Lill almost quit the acting profession due to his struggle in getting acting roles and worked various jobs in between acting, including as a car salesman, which he did not like. Lill was later cast as Joel Deering in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', which he was very happy about. Lill enjoyed his experience on the soap and received praise for his portrayal of the villain and was nominated for ''Inside Soap'' Awards and a British Soap Award. Lill left the role at the end of the storyline in 2024 and he then portrayed Fleshcreep in the pantomime of ''Jack and the Beanstalk''. In 2025, Lill announced that he would be acting in ''The Sociable Plover'' at the Old Red Lion, Islington, and that same year it was also announced that he would be briefly returning to ''Coronation Street''.
==Early life and career== ===Early life and career=== Calum Lill was born into a working-class family, in 1995 or 1996.<ref name="Interview 2">{{cite magazine |last1=Slade|first1=Alison|title=In plain sight |magazine=TV Times |date=22–28 June 2024 |pages=12–13}}</ref><ref name="Personal" /> When he was a child, he watched the drama ''Waterloo Road'', which he considered his favourite show.<ref name="Joel 1">{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill says 'it's even worse' before stunning fans with 'fun fact' about life before soap |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/coronation-streets-calum-lill-says-30125814 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=17 April 2025 |date=11 October 2024}}</ref> He revealed, "All I wanted to do was get an acting job in ''Waterloo Road'' when I was growing up".<ref name="Joel 1" /> Lill also revealed that his house was used as one of the sets during the early years of ''Waterloo Road'' just as his family were moving out from it.<ref name="Joel 1" />
Shortly after he graduated, Lill portrayed lead guest character Chez Wilson-Needham in an episode of the BBC soap opera ''Doctors'', which aired in 2019.<ref name="Doctors">{{cite web |title=Calum Lill - Doctors |url=https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-doctors/ |website=The BWH Agency |date=15 February 2019 |access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414150719/https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-doctors/ |archive-date=14 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Doctors 2">{{cite web |title=Division |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0c334tk |website=BBC One |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416232130/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0c334tk |archive-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> Speaking of the experience, Lill said, "it was two days filming and you'd think I'd just been cast as the lead in the new Scorsese epic".<ref name="Personal" /> He also portrayed Conor Henson in a 2019 episode of ''Holby City'', which Lill described as "fantastic".<ref name="Personal" /><ref name="Personal 2" /><ref name="Holby">{{cite web |title=Calum Lill - Holby City|url=https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-holby-city/ |website=The BWH Agency |date=8 October 2019 |access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414195800/https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-holby-city/ |archive-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> The COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom then occurred, which hindered Lill's plans.<ref name="Personal" /> Due to the television industry shutting down, Lill nearly became homeless during the pandemic.<ref name="Personal 2" /> Lill recalled to the ''Me, Myself and Hopefully You..?'' podcast in 2021, "It's a hustle. That's what a lot of theatre actors struggle with. They love theatre, but it only pays enough to cover your rent while in you're in the job... You've then got to go back to waiting tables".<ref name="Personal 2" /> In 2021, he portrayed the recurring role of Carlton Smith in the soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' for 12 episodes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Calum Lill - Hollyoaks |url=https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-hollyoaks/ |website=The BWH Agency |date=9 July 2021 |access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414150716/https://thebwhagency.co.uk/calum-lill-hollyoaks/ |archive-date=14 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Personal" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Request Spot |magazine=Inside Soap |date=23–29 September 2023 |page=38|issue=38}}</ref>
In between acting roles, Lill had various jobs, including a stint working at Junkyard Golf Club.<ref name="Personal" /> Lill moved from London to Manchester with his girlfriend and worked alongside acting to save money for a house.<ref name="Personal" /><ref name="Interview 2" /> Lill found this experience very difficult and was not happy in the non-acting job that he was doing, and he almost quit his acting career.<ref name="Personal" /><ref name="Quit">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Harriet |title=Coronation Street star Calum Lill reveals why he nearly quit his acting career |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a46840582/coronation-street-calum-lill-acting/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417032841/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a46840582/coronation-street-calum-lill-acting/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |date=18 February 2024}}</ref> At one point, Lill auditioned for the soap opera ''Coronation Street'' but was unsuccessful, which made him upset as he wanted to be on the soap due to being working-class and Northern.<ref name="Personal" /> Lill then worked at a paella stand at festivals where he met actors Rupert Hill, the brother of the owner of the stand, and his wife Jenny Platt, both of whom had appeared in the soap.<ref name="Personal" /><ref>{{cite magazine |first1=Alison |last1=Slade|title=No shrinking Violet|magazine=TV Times |date=16–22 March 2024|pages=16–17}}</ref> The actors reassured him that the producers of ''Coronation Street'' would contact him if they liked him.<ref name="Personal" /><ref name="Quit 2" /> Whilst auditioning for the soap, he worked as a car salesman, which he hated.<ref name="Quit" /><ref name="Quit 2">{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Danni |title=ITV Corrie's Joel actor Calum Lill was 'ready to quit acting' amid 'tough' relationship move |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/corrie-callum-lill-quit-acting-32607326 |website=OK! |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=17 April 2025 |date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
===Since 2023=== In August 2023, it was announced that Lill had joined the cast of ''Coronation Street'' as Joel Deering, a solicitor who would become the new love interest for Dee Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=George |title=Coronation Street casts Hollyoaks actor as Dee-Dee Bailey's next love interest |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44944707/coronation-street-hollyoaks-calum-lill-joel-dee-dee/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414201336/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44944707/coronation-street-hollyoaks-calum-lill-joel-dee-dee/ |archive-date=14 April 2025 |date=30 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Seddon |first1=Dan |title=Coronation Street star Calum Lill calls for Joel and Dee-Dee wedding |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a46830722/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-dee-dee-wedding/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417035508/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a46830722/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-dee-dee-wedding/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |date=17 February 2024}}</ref> Lill described being cast in the soap as "incredible", adding, "I've never felt anything like it. I was walking on air...especially being a working class northern lad".<ref name="Personal" /> He added, "It was a relief that 14 or 15 years had paid off and I wouldn't have to quit. There's no shame in quitting... But to know I didn't have to was incredible".<ref name="Personal" /> He auditioned for the role in May 2023 initially believed that he had been unsuccessful.<ref name="Interview 2" /><ref name="Personal 2" /> When Lill's agent told him that he had received the part, he fell to his knees and cried and could not speak as he was "over the moon".<ref name="Quit" /> The actor called getting a regular role on the soap the equivalent of getting his "letter for Hogwarts".<ref name="Interview" /> Lill revealed that ''Coronation Street'' spent a lot of money on the character's outfits.<ref name="Personal" /> Lill would wake up at 5:30am to read the scripts and arrive to work for 7am and stay until about 8–9pm.<ref name="Interview 2" />
{{quote box |quote = "When you're doing 40 pages a day then you finish and need to learn 40 pages for the next few days, it's so relentless... it's such a skill, a baptism by fire. That was the most challenging. Everyone says you'll leave a different actor then when you started, because you can't not learn and develop so fast from the sheer volume of work." |align = left |source =–Lill on working on ''Coronation Street'' (2024)<ref name="Joel 2" /> |width = 25em |border = 1px |fontsize = 87% |bgcolor = #A4DDED |salign = right }}
Joel was initially portrayed as a "good guy" but was later revealed to be a villain who was grooming and abusing girls and had tried to murder Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton), who had been presumed dead for months.<ref name="Prop">{{cite web |last1=Crutchley |first1=Joe |title=Coronation Street Joel star reveals he took prop that bosses 'spent loads on' ahead of exit |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/coronation-street-joel-star-reveals-34076580 |website=Daily Record |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=14 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414203923/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/coronation-street-joel-star-reveals-34076580 |archive-date=14 April 2025 |date=16 November 2024}}</ref> Lill had known that Joel was going to be a villain and found out just how "bad" Joel was as he got further into auditions, and he was initially unaware of how the plot would end as it "kept changing".<ref name="Joel 1" /> Lill enjoyed portraying Joel's villainous side, as he found it more fun, but did not "camp it up" due to the storyline being a serious matter.<ref name="Interview" /> He was also uncomfortable with portraying some of the things that the character did due to it being so dark, but the crew supported him with it.<ref name="Interview" /><ref name="Interview 3" /> Lill researched for the role by watching hours of police interviews with serial killer Ted Bundy and speaking to the Maggie Oliver Foundation, a charity that supports survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.<ref name="Interview 2" /> The actor would listen to music to get into character, ranging from sad, melancholy and drum and bass, but he noted that he could no longer listen to that music for pleasure as it would remind him of Joel.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mood music|magazine=Inside Soap|date=26 October – 1 November 2024 |page=42|issue=43}}</ref> Lill joked that several viewers had recognised him in public but did not speak to him as he plays a villain, but he believed that he had created "some sort of separation" between him and the character due to being active on social media.<ref name="Joel 2" /> Lill expected to receive a negative backlash but found most of the response to be supportive.<ref name="Interview">{{cite magazine |last1=Tyler|first1=Laura-Jayne|title="I was shocked and scared by what Joel does next!" |magazine=Inside Soap |date=3–9 August 2024 |issue=31 |pages=52–53}}</ref> He added that he only began to get noticed by viewers when Joel was revealed to be involved with Lauren.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ellis|first1=Sarah|title="Joel's life is falling apart in front of him!"|magazine=Inside Soap|date=20–26 July 2024 |pages=44–45 |issue=29}}</ref> Fitton and Lill got on well together and went the "extra mile" to make their scenes believable by distancing from each other on set and being in character when they passed each other.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Carreno-Muller |first1=Laura |title=Burning issues for Lauren|magazine=Love TV|date=22 February 2025 |page=12}}</ref> Lill found an episode that was mostly him and Fitton to be the most challenging part of his time on the soap, but they felt "privileged" to be "trusted" with it.<ref name="Joel 2" /> In order to protect the secret from viewers that Lauren was alive, Lill would hide Fitton in the boot of his car when entering the set gates in order to sneak her into the building.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tyler|first1=Laura-Jayne|title="Calum Lill had to put me in the boot of his car!"|magazine=Inside Soap|date=13–19 July 2024 |pages=8–9 |issue=28}}</ref> Lill joked on Instagram that he struggled to act with the child actress who played Joel's daughter Maeve Wilkinson as he died "of cuteness overload every take".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jessica |first1=Sansome |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill says he 'struggled acting' with one co-star as he's praised over soap update |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/coronation-streets-calum-lill-says-29694761 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=14 April 2025 |date=7 August 2024 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829012807/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/coronation-streets-calum-lill-says-29694761 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Lill also revealed that criticise himself when he would watch his scenes in episodes but added, "I worked so hard. I know that there's definitely better actors than me but I don't think anybody else could have put in as much work as I did. Because I just said, if I can give this 100% and I leave and I don't work for years, at least I know that there's no more I could have done".<ref name="CS exit" />
In July 2024, it was announced that Lill had been cast as the villain Fleshcreep in Bournemouth Pavilion's pantomime of ''Jack and the Beanstalk'', which ran from December 2024 to January 2025.<ref name="CS exit 2">{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=George |title=Coronation Street star Calum Lill sparks Joel Deering exit rumours |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a61615164/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-deering-rumours/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417130500/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a61615164/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-deering-rumours/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |date=16 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Jack">{{cite web |title=Corrie's Calum Lill to star in Bournemouth Pavilion panto! |url=https://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/news/corries-calum-lill-to-star-in-bournemouth-pavilion-panto |website=Bournemouth Pavilion |access-date=15 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415212325/https://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/news/corries-calum-lill-to-star-in-bournemouth-pavilion-panto |archive-date=15 April 2025 |date=15 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill worlds away from Joel Deering as next move confirmed |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-streets-calum-lill-worlds-30159724 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=16 October 2024}}</ref> Lill joked that he had a "streak" of playing villains.<ref name="Inside Gossip">{{cite magazine |last1=Tyler |first1=Laura-Jayne |title=Inside Gossip |magazine=Inside Soap |date=23–29 November 2024 |issue=47|pages=14–15}}</ref> He added that he was looking forward to doing comedy.<ref name="Interview 3" /> Lill's casting in the production sparked rumours that Lill would be exiting ''Coronation Street'' due to ITV usually not allowing actors to star in pantomimes while they are contracted, though it was reported that Lill had always meant to have a finite run on the soap.<ref name="CS exit 2" /> His departure was confirmed the following month.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Townsend |first1=Michelle |title=Coronation Street star quits soap after one year and has already landed new role |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/coronation-street-star-quits-soap-33450589 |website=RSVP Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=17 April 2025 |date=13 August 2024 |archive-date=13 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913222129/https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/coronation-street-star-quits-soap-33450589 |url-status=live }}</ref> The character was killed-off in a Whodunit mystery storyline in September 2024, and the killer was revealed to be Lauren that November in a flashback episode.<ref name="Personal" /> Lill he did not want to leave the soap as he had made some good friends there, calling it "the most incredible place to work" and "the best year" of his life.<ref name="Interview" /><ref name="Joel 2">{{cite web |last1=Daly |first1=Helen |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill: 'Joel has gone further than I thought he would' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-gone-too-far-interview/ |website=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912154226/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-calum-lill-joel-gone-too-far-interview/ |archive-date=12 September 2024 |date=6 August 2024}}</ref> The ending changed several times, which kept Lill on his "toes".<ref name="Interview 3">{{cite magazine |last1=Timms|first1=Chloe|title="I'm looking forward to doing some comedy!" |magazine=Inside Soap |date=26 October – 1 November 2024 |pages=40–42 |issue=43}}</ref> Lill had left the show in July 2024 but returned to film the flashback episode.<ref name="CS exit">{{cite web |last1=Penwill |first1=Alice |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill reveals unseen secret about Joel Deering murder |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/coronation-streets-calum-lill-reveals-34109166 |website=OK! |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=17 April 2025 |date=15 November 2024 |archive-date=15 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241115224206/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/coronation-streets-calum-lill-reveals-34109166 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lill revealed that when he left the soap, he took several of the character's outfits, including his "smart casual stuff" which he considered "nicer" than any of his own smart outfits, with permission.<ref name="Personal" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weatherfield extra |magazine=TV Times |date=30 November – 6 December 2024|page=25}}</ref> He also took home the "soft foam" prop of the brick that was used to kill Joel.<ref name="Personal" /> Lill's co-stars got him several leaving presents, including a St Christopher's pendant.<ref name="Interview 3" /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Party time! |magazine=Inside Soap|date=12–18 October 2024 |issue=41 |pages=59–63}}</ref> Lill said that leaving his colleagues would be the most difficult thing of leaving the soap as he believed that they were the "just the best in the world".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ellis|first1=Sarah|title=Best Soap Coronation Street|magazine=Inside Soap|date=12–18 October 2024 |page=45 |issue=41}}</ref>
For his role as Joel, Lill was shortlisted for "Best Villain" at the 2024 ''Inside Soap'' Awards, whilst Joel being revealed as Lauren's mystery boyfriend was shortlisted for "Best Showstopper" and Lauren's disappearance was longlisted for "Best Storyline".<ref name="2024 award">{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Emmerdale's Tom and Belle story and EastEnders' Six drama among Inside Soap Award nominees |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a61602668/inside-soap-awards-nominations-2024/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=3 August 2024 |date=16 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cast your vote now! Inside Soap Awards 2024|magazine=Inside Soap |date=20–26 July 2024 |pages=49–52|issue=29}}</ref><ref name="2024 Shortlist">{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Inside Soap Awards 2024 announces shortlist for star-studded ceremony |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62337993/inside-soap-awards-2024-shortlist/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=13 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413174820/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62337993/inside-soap-awards-2024-shortlist/ |archive-date=13 April 2025 |date=24 September 2024}}</ref> In 2025, Lill was longlisted for Villain of the Year at the British Soap Awards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Denby |first1=Laura |title=British Soap Awards public vote nominations 2025 – full list |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/british-soap-awards-public-vote-nominations-2025-newsupdate/ |website=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429201439/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/british-soap-awards-public-vote-nominations-2025-newsupdate/ |archive-date=29 April 2025 |date=7 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="BSA longlist">{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=British Soap Awards 2025 announces first nominees as Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks compete |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a64403890/british-soap-awards-2025-longlist-nominations/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429201609/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a64403890/british-soap-awards-2025-longlist-nominations/ |archive-date=29 April 2025 |date=7 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="Sociable Plover" /> He made the shortlist.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cotton |first1=Elizabeth |title=British Soap Awards 2025: Full list of shortlisted nominees |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/british-soap-awards-2025-full-31550004 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501155627/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/british-soap-awards-2025-full-31550004 |archive-date=1 May 2025 |date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cormack |first1=Morgan |title=British Soap Awards shortlist confirmed – Full list of nominees this year |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/british-soap-awards-2025-shortlist-newsupdate/ |website=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501155558/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/british-soap-awards-2025-shortlist-newsupdate/ |archive-date=1 May 2025 |date=1 May 2025}}</ref> Gary Brocart-Gillatt from ''Inside Soap'' wrote that he enjoyed the "camp touches" that Lill brought to his villainous character.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Brocart-Gillatt |first1=Gary |title=Hits & Misses! |magazine=Inside Soap |date=10–16 August 2024 |issue=32|page=98}}</ref> Lill spoke to James Chase, who plays Tom King in another soap opera ''Emmerdale'', at an awards ceremony as they both related to playing villains in soap operas and received hate messages online.<ref name="Inside Gossip"/> In November 2024, Lill appeared on ''Good Morning Britain'', where promoted the details of an ITV competition to viewers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill's new job spotted on ITV after soap exit as Joel Deering |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-streets-calum-lills-new-30290856 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=4 November 2024 |archive-date=4 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104104432/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-streets-calum-lills-new-30290856 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2025, Lill announced that he would be acting in Tim Whitnall's play ''The Sociable Plover'' at the Old Red Lion, Islington from 13–24 May that year.<ref name="Sociable Plover">{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Coronation Street star Calum Lill reveals next move after fans say same thing over villain's 'return' with big news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/coronation-street-star-calum-lill-31480898 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429202047/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/coronation-street-star-calum-lill-31480898 |archive-date=29 April 2025 |date=21 April 2025}}</ref> That same month, it was reported that Lill would briefly reprise his role of Joel on ''Coronation Street'' in an unknown storyline.<ref name="CS return">{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=George |title=Coronation Street villain to return despite dramatic death plot |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a64620262/coronation-street-joel-deering-return-calum-lill/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=29 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429202028/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a64620262/coronation-street-joel-deering-return-calum-lill/ |archive-date=29 April 2025 |date=29 April 2025}}</ref> In October 2025, it was announced that Lill would be a celebrity judge on ''Worksop's Got Talent''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Kate |title=Coronation Street villain Calum Lill announced as celebrity judge for Worksop's Got Talent |url=https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/coronation-street-villain-calum-lill-announced-as-celebrity-judge-for-worksops-got-talent-5349927 |website=Worksop guardian |publisher=National World |access-date=19 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251119122636/https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/web/20251119122636/https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/coronation-street-villain-calum-lill-announced-as-celebrity-judge-for-worksops-got-talent-5349927 |archive-date=19 November 2025 |date=8 October 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Lill has dated Roberta McClarron, who works in public relations and marketing, since December 2021.<ref name="Personal">{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Real life of Coronation Street's Joel Deering actor Calum Lill - girlfriend, soap star link, previous roles and almost quitting |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/real-life-coronation-streets-joel-28695587 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=14 April 2025 |date=24 February 2024}}</ref> When he was cast on ''Coronation Street'', he lived with his girlfriend and his brother, who knew about Joel turning out to be a villain.<ref name="Interview 2" /> Lill said that McClarron was very happy for him when he was cast on ''Coronation Street'' as she knew how much he was struggling emotionally due to his struggles in getting acting jobs.<ref name="Personal" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Penwill |first1=Alice |title=Trouble In Paradise|magazine=Love TV|date=17 February 2024 |page=13}}</ref> McClaron got on well with Sterling-Brown; they had a group chat with McClaron's friend called "The Girls Featuring Calum".<ref name="Interview" /> In June 2024, the couple announced their engagement.<ref name="Personal 2">{{cite web |author1=Shauna Bannon Ward |title=Coronation Street star Calum Lill's life with new fiancée Roberta after tough year |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/coronation-street-star-calum-lills-33840610 |website=RSVP Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=17 April 2025 |date=7 October 2024 |archive-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417033255/https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/coronation-street-star-calum-lills-33840610 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weatherfield Extra|magazine=TV Times |date=29 June – 5 July 2024|page=25}}</ref> That September, Lill paid tribute to McClarron on Instagram, where he thanked her for supporting him and his acting career and noted that he had not seen her much during his time on ''Coronation Street'' but she still supported him and did the housework so that Lill could put the soap first, with Lill writing, "I'm so grateful to have you in my life and that you agreed to marry me. Thanks for being amazing".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baalla |first1=Sara |title=Coronation Street's Calum Lill pays sweet tribute to real-life partner amid big Joel story |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62426677/coronation-street-calum-lill-fiancee-tribute/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417033624/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a62426677/coronation-street-calum-lill-fiancee-tribute/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |date=29 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="Interview" /> Lill said in 2024 that he was friends with actor Tyler Dobbs, who also portrayed a villain in ''Coronation Street''.<ref name="Interview 2" /> In May 2024, Lill took part in the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run with other ''Coronation Street'' actors to raise money for charity.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Tyler|first1=Laura-Jayne|title=Street Runners!|magazine=Inside Soap|date=18–24 May 2024 |page=15 |issue=20}}</ref> Lill filmed a video of his grandmother reacting to Joel being revealed as a villain, which became popular with ''Coronation Street'' viewers; Lill attributed this to viewers seeing him as "Calum the actor" rather than his character.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Internet Sensation!|magazine=Inside Soap|date=20–26 July 2024 |page=45 |issue=29}}</ref> In the first half of 2025, Lill travelled around Southeast Asia.<ref name="Sociable Plover" />
==Acting credits==
===Filmography=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- | 2019 | ''Doctors'' | Chez Wilson-Needham | Lead guest role (1 episode) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Doctors 2" /> |- | 2019 | ''Holby City'' | Conor Henson | Guest role (1 episode) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Holby" /> |- | 2021 | ''Hollyoaks'' | Carlton Smith | Recurring role (12 episodes) | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Joel 1" /> |- | 2023–25 | ''Coronation Street'' | Joel Deering | Regular role | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="CS return" /> |- |}
===Theatre=== {| class="wikitable" ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Production ! scope="col"| Venue ! scope="col"| Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- | 2024–25 | ''Jack and the Beanstalk'' | Bournemouth Pavilion | Fleshcreep | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="CS exit 2" /> |- | 2025 | ''The Sociable Plover'' | Old Red Lion, Islington | {{n/a}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Sociable Plover" /> |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ List of acting awards and nominations ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- |rowspan=2| 2024 |rowspan=2| ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Best Villain |rowspan=3| ''Coronation Street'' | {{shortlisted}} | align="center" | <ref name="2024 Shortlist" /> |- | Best Showstopper | {{shortlisted}} | align="center" | <ref name="2024 award" /> |- | 2025 | British Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | {{shortlisted}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=Emmerdale and EastEnders lead British Soap Awards 2025 shortlist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64641873/emmerdale-eastenders-british-soap-awards-2025-shortlist/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501155416/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a64641873/emmerdale-eastenders-british-soap-awards-2025-shortlist/ |archive-date=1 May 2025 |date=1 May 2025}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|9899747}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lill, Calum}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century English male actors Category:British male soap opera actors Category:English male television actors Category:English male stage actors Category:Year of birth missing (living people)