WATERLOO ROAD RETURNS TO OUR SCREENS

Waterloo Road is returning to our screens seven years after it was taken off air by the BBC.

This time round however filming will not take place in Greenock, Scotland but move back to Manchester, England, where it first began.

Much loved characters Adam Thomas, Angela Griffin and Katie Griffiths will however return to the reboot, which this time round will focus on school life after Covid.

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Ex Emmerdale star Adam will return as ex pupil Donte Charles, while Katie will play his wife Chlo Grainger. 

Angela will return as headteacher Kim Campbell, once the the head of pastoral.

Waterloo Road last aired in 2015, and moved to Scotland to film three years later, leaving filming in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Adam and his co-stars took to social media to let fans know about the new series and he told them: "The news is finally out!!! Donte and Chloe are back!! @waterlooroad coming soon… @bbc @bbciplayer."

Adam posted a throwback snap of the pair as pupils at Waterloo Road.

He commented: "I’m so excited to go back to where it all started! Waterloo Road was a huge part of my life and career so to go back 15 years later is a dream come true.

"I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to get back to acting and doing what I love! I can’t wait to see some old faces and some new. I know this series is going to be the best one yet…"

Katie from Leeds showed of a photo of the three reading their scripts and wrote: "Big news! I'm going back to school! I'm so so excited to be returning to @waterlooroad reunited with @adamthomas21 and @theangelagriffin and loads of new faces yet to be revealed. Coming to @bbciplayer later this year. #waterlooroad.

"I am incredibly excited to be returning to Waterloo Road - loved by all who make and watch it! Chlo was my first professional acting role, and I feel so lucky to be part of the show again. I can't wait to see what stories unfold!"

Angela added: 'Here it is!!! My big news! I'm going back to school! I'm ridiculously excited to be returning to @waterlooroad as Kim Campbell…. But this time, she's the HEAD."

'I'm reunited with the brilliant @adamthomas21 and Katie Griffiths @kaytgriff (Donte and Chlo all grown up) and loads of new faces yet to be revealed. Coming to @bbciplayer later this year!"

Executive producer Cameron Roach said: 'Waterloo Road will continue its reputation for kickstarting, supporting and enabling careers both in front of and behind the camera, in a truly inclusive way, from our base in Greater Manchester.'

Actors who used to come to Greenock t film for the series included Lip Service's Heather Peace, Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dyvenor, Loose Women panellist Denise Welch and Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey.

The former Greenock Academy was used as location for the BBC TV series and many local children had roles as background actors in it.

One fan said of the return:"Waterloo Road coming back reminds me that half the kids I went to school with were backing characters in it. They'd go to Greenock for a weekend then come back like "I got to die in an explosion woo!"

Another added: "OMG! Its actually coming back, and returning to Greater Manchester rather than Greenock."

LINE OF DUTY ACTOR MARTÍN COMPSTON HAS GOOD HAIR DAY

LINE Of Duty’s Martin Compston showed off his shaggy hairdo before getting a cut backstage on the set of the award winning show. 
Greenock born actor Martin told fans he was ‘officially back in business’ as he shared a picture of himself in his famous waistcoat and suit on set. 
And after quarantining for two weeks ahead of filming to ensure he followed the health and safety procedure he wasn’t taking any chances with Covid backstage as his hair stylist Cat Coogan wore a mask and shield as well as plastic apron to protect him from any risks. 
As he sat in the barbers chair he joked: “This woman’s surgical with scissors.”
Martin also posted up a picture of himself in police uniform teasing fans: “In The civvies, must be Line of Duty 6.”


The actor has been spending lockdown with his family and recently posted a picture of a damaged bush in his garden after he fell into it during an outdoor dancing session. 
He told fans at the time he’d been dancing to the tunes of local DJ George Bowie when the mishap happened and after  apologising to his wife Tianna Flynn also admitted he hurt his back.
Martin also said that  lockdown was like being an unemployed actor, but said he enjoyed the sober conversations he been having with pals on WhatsApp and time with family after spending March till November away from home last year.

JEAN JOHANSSON WONT BE IN A BIKINI FOR NEW TV ROLE IN SUN

Beverley Lyons
SCOTS presenter Jean Johansson might have landed her dream telly job on house hunting show A Place In The Sun, but she says she’s not had a chance to wear her bikini just yet.
Greenock babe Jean, 37, who is married to former Rangers player and now Greenock Morton manager, Jonatan Johansson, 42, has already travelled to Costa Blanca and the Costa Del Sol for the Channel 4 show.
Jean, who also presents on Animal Park and the One Show said: “It’s the dream job and everybody wanted it. I’ve been filming over the last few months already in Costa Blanca and the Costa Del Sol and it’s a nice dynamic because you are working in the sunshine and everyone is relaxed and excited. The weather has been amazing and the days are long but I’ve not put a bikini on since the start of filming.”
She added: “It’s been funny. I got sent out with a stylist who dressed me for the show because the temperatures are really high for this time of the year and I’ve got to look fresh and invigorated on screen during a ten hour filming day which can be difficult.
Sometimes we end up sweating a lot in the houses because they turn the air conditioning off so it doesn’t make a noise when we are filming.”
Jean initially auditioned for the telly job two years ago but was pipped to the post by fellow Scot Danni Menzies from Kenmore.
She said: “I was having chats with my agent about telly jobs and I wanted one that matched my personal interests. She matched me up to the show but I lost out to Danni. I managed to get an audition again this year and after three days of screen tests they said I had the job. I haven’t met Danni yet but it’s great that two Scots are on the show.”
Jean who will be seen in our screens from November 30 reckons her life experience as a footballers wife will help her to assist house hunters on the show.
She explained: “I’ve moved so much with Jonatan - about six of seven times - and I’ve had to drop my life at the drop of a hat.”
“We’ve moved in the past from Glasgow to London, to Norwich, Sweden, Edinburgh and finally Skermorlie and each time I’ve had to find out about the nearest school, gym and all about the local area as well as renovate. I’ve had to make big decisions quite quickly so it puts me in the shoes of the house hunters. I’ve got to know them pretty well over the course of filming too.”
She said: “I don’t want to give away too much of the technicalities but on the Sunday night we have a welcome dinner for people to get to meet the crew and talk about what they want so we can get an idea of who they are. I definitely feel a responsibility towards finding them the best properties for their needs.”
Jean has spent a lot of time holidaying in Spain over the years and is familiar with a lot of the local hotspots.
She said: “I’m a big fan of Spain and I holiday there quite a lot in places like Malaga, Esta Ponsa, and Marbella. It’s so easy to get there from Scotland. I know a lot of places and can show people around, so I’ve been giving the house hunters tips on where to go for drinks and where to eat.  I’m a foodie and that’s why I did Masterchef so we’ve had a bit of time to sample tapas and Spanish wine.”
Jean recently renewed her wedding vows with Jonatan in Mallorca and says she’s keeping a lookout for any potential properties there as a  future holiday home for her own family.
She said: “I lived in Finland and Sweden with Jonatan but I’ve not found a wee two bedroom place in Spain yet as lovely as the houses in Scandinavia. I’ll keep an eye out for bargains and the nice thing about A Place In The Sun is that we take you outside of tourist spots to quaint Spanish villages.”
Jean who has a six year old son Junior has had her mum and dad help her with babysitting duties while she’s been working abroad.
She said: “It’s the usual mum juggling act that all working mums have to do. Mum and dad come and move in for a week while I’m filming and since Jonatan is the new manager at Morton it’s the busiest we’ve both ever been over the years.  Junior has the best support network  and he’s turned into quite the Skype aficionado and gets to see amazing places while I’m filming and pin it on the map.”