Waterloo Road Series 10 Spoilers

Waterloo Road will have a new head teacher in series ten, it has been revealed.

Neil Pearson, who is to star as incoming teacher Vaughn Fitzgerald in the next series of the continuing BBC One drama, will play the new head next year.

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© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) / Alan Peebles
Neil Pearson as Vaughn Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road


The news was revealed online after a fan visited the set in Greenock, Scotland. Pictures showing filming for the tenth series, due to air in 2014, were posted on Inverclyde Now and show the school's sign on a wall outside.

Closer inspection reveals that the sign says "Head Teacher: Vaughn Fitzgerald".

Last month, it was revealed that the 54-year-old Drop the Dead Donkey actor and actress Nicola Stephenson had been signed up by Waterloo Road bosses as two new teachers, Fitzgerald and Allie Westbrook.

Speaking about joining Waterloo Road in a BBC press release, Pearson commented: "Waterloo Road has a long and successful history, an impressive list of alumni, and a highly talented and enthusiastic cast. All of which makes me very excited to be joining my new school."

Waterloo Road airs a big episode for Nikki Boston tonight (October 17) as her estranged daughter Eve turns up at the school unexpectedly.

Nikki hasn't seen Eve (Sophie Skelton) for many years, as she gave up responsibility for her when she was just a baby.

Digital Spy recently chatted to Heather Peace, who plays Nikki, for all the gossip on an emotional time ahead as her character's past is explored.

Was this an enjoyable episode to film?
"Yes, I enjoy the challenges of scripts that are difficult. I get quite easily bored with anything in life unless I'm being challenged, so this was great. The director Craig Pickles gave me a lot of freedom with the scenes. We worked together as a team, so hopefully it's come out alright. I haven't seen the episode myself yet, though!"

Did you always know about Nikki's past, or was it just a surprise to read about it in the scripts?
"I didn't know at first. It's at the start of each series that the producers tend to let you know what your next story arc is going to be, so you can prepare for that. But certainly when I joined Waterloo Road two and a half years ago, I didn't know about this at all.

"It was quite exciting when I was told, because we don't know much about Nikki. She's very private and she's one of the only characters whose house we haven't seen on screen. I always joke that she must just sleep in the school!

"It's also interesting to see a character like Nikki start to break down. It would have been very easy, with the material given, to spend the whole episode sobbing my heart out. But I just thought there needed to be a pivotal moment where she cracks. Nikki is the type of person who would hold things together for as long as possible."

What is Nikki's initial reaction when Eve turns up?
"Shock! Nikki doesn't even know what Eve looks like, as she gave her up when she was a baby. At first she just thinks that Eve is another teenager who is perhaps looking to join the school."

Had Nikki thought about Eve much over the years?
"No, she's put Eve to the back of her mind, without a doubt. I think subconsciously that's why Nikki has developed a relationship with Kacey, who is almost a replacement for the daughter that she gave up. Kacey is the same age as Eve, and there's quite a maternal bond there. That's another interesting part of the episode, as there are jealousies between the two girls and they end up vying for Nikki's attention.

"I think Nikki is a great believer in nurture, not nature. At the end of the episode, she realises that she feels more maternal towards Kacey than the child she gave birth to. It's quite controversial, really, as we don't often get to see stories of mothers leaving children."

Why did Nikki give up Eve?
"It's not scripted - it's something I had to build myself. Nikki was very young, in her early 20s, so I presumed it was something to do with her ambitions for the military. Nikki also says in the scenes that she just didn't feel anything - she wasn't a maternal person.

"Throughout this series and the next series, we get to see that Nikki doesn't really like herself very much. In her own weird, warped way and being young, she thought it was better if Eve's dad brought her up on his own. She genuinely believed that Eve would be better off with just her dad around. I think Nikki possibly knew that she didn't have that stability and didn't feel the way she should feel."

Grantly's final episode aired last week. Was it sad to say goodbye to Philip Martin Brown, who played him?
"Yeah, he's one of my best friends from the show and we still speak every couple of weeks. I was absolutely gutted when he left because he's a fun guy to have around. We'd always hang around socially outside of work and go for dinner of an evening, so he was massively missed. But he's alright and really happy - he's not stopped working since he left!"

Will Nikki stay busy on screen in future episodes?
"Yeah, there's a nice arc to the end of this series, to do with Kacey, the Barrys and the boxing. Then in the next series, which will come out in the New Year, we find out a heck of a lot more about Nikki."

A beautiful new girl enrols in the school but doesn’t waste any time in causing mayhem amongst both staff and pupils with her outrageous behaviour. Simon launches his new Resilience Education plan to make the pupils tougher and Nikki returns from the holidays with a new love interest.
When blonde bombshell Gabriella Wark explodes on the scene, she immediately causes problems for staff and pupils. Gabriella is sassy, smart and stunning but has already had her marching orders from several schools for her disruptive behaviour. With her sights firmly set on hot new PE teacher Hector, this is one girl who won’t blend into the school furniture.

Newlywed Simon’s brand new Resilience Education scheme kicks off the new term with a bang and a disagreement with Christine. But he’s determined to prove that this is exactly what the school needs to get the pupils ready for life in the real world.

Nikki is enjoying the bliss of a brand new relationship with Sue’s sister Vix and is unaware that she’s also caught the attention of someone else.

Gabriella is played by Naomi Battrick, Hector by Leon Ockenden, Simon by Richard Mylan, Christine by Laurie Brett, Nikki by Heather Peace, Vix by Kristin Atherton and Sue by Vanessa Hehir.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz2muKrthgx

8th January 2014

8.30pm - 9.30pm

A beautiful new girl enrols in the school but doesn’t waste any time in causing mayhem amongst both staff and pupils with her outrageous behaviour. Simon launches his new Resilience Education plan to make the pupils tougher and Nikki returns from the holidays with a new love interest.
When blonde bombshell Gabriella Wark explodes on the scene, she immediately causes problems for staff and pupils. Gabriella is sassy, smart and stunning but has already had her marching orders from several schools for her disruptive behaviour. With her sights firmly set on hot new PE teacher Hector, this is one girl who won’t blend into the school furniture.

Newlywed Simon’s brand new Resilience Education scheme kicks off the new term with a bang and a disagreement with Christine. But he’s determined to prove that this is exactly what the school needs to get the pupils ready for life in the real world.

Nikki is enjoying the bliss of a brand new relationship with Sue’s sister Vix and is unaware that she’s also caught the attention of someone else.

Gabriella is played by Naomi Battrick, Hector by Leon Ockenden, Simon by Richard Mylan, Christine by Laurie Brett, Nikki by Heather Peace, Vix by Kristin Atherton and Sue by Vanessa Hehir.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz2muKrthgx

12/20

Carol Barry’s money-making ventures lead her down some unexpected paths. Connor is offered his dream job but has to convince his mum to let him go. Nikki and Vix take another big step in their relationship.
Carol Barry is flat broke. Desperate to pay for Dynasty to go on the school trip, she takes a job in the school kitchen and soon starts to enjoy some ‘added extras’. With the bailiffs still on her back, Carol needs a second job. She reluctantly returns to her old bar job, but it’s not long until her sleazy boss is up to his old tricks. When a familiar face comes to her rescue, Carol wonders if romance – and the answer to her monetary problems – may lie a little closer to home.

With Maggie’s support and Imogen’s blessing, Connor is beaming from his job offer in London. All he has to do is convince a devastated Christine to let him go.

Vix presents Nikki with some beautiful handmade jewellery; Nikki’s left confused. On one hand, it’s all going so fast but on the other she was hoping for something a little bit smaller and… box-shaped.

12/20

Carol Barry’s money-making ventures lead her down some unexpected paths. Connor is offered his dream job but has to convince his mum to let him go. Nikki and Vix take another big step in their relationship.
Carol Barry is flat broke. Desperate to pay for Dynasty to go on the school trip, she takes a job in the school kitchen and soon starts to enjoy some ‘added extras’. With the bailiffs still on her back, Carol needs a second job. She reluctantly returns to her old bar job, but it’s not long until her sleazy boss is up to his old tricks. When a familiar face comes to her rescue, Carol wonders if romance – and the answer to her monetary problems – may lie a little closer to home.

With Maggie’s support and Imogen’s blessing, Connor is beaming from his job offer in London. All he has to do is convince a devastated Christine to let him go.

Vix presents Nikki with some beautiful handmade jewellery; Nikki’s left confused. On one hand, it’s all going so fast but on the other she was hoping for something a little bit smaller and… box-shaped.

22nd January

13/30


Gabriella continues to make more enemies than friends, leading to a dangerous situation for the girls on a night out. Christine struggles with her emotions as Connor leaves for London and Nikki worries about Eve’s reaction to her engagement.
When Dynasty embarrasses her in front of Hunky Hector, Gabriella declares war and begins to sabotage Dynasty’s friendships and schoolwork. Imogen and Rhiannon join Gabriella for a night out but it doesn’t take long for them to find themselves in trouble. A knight in tarnished armour makes a shock return and quickly captures Gabriella’s wandering eye.

Connor flies the nest, leaving Christine feeling irritable and upset. After one too many run-ins with Simon, she is uninvited to a staff get-together and is left feeling lonelier than ever.

A thrilled Vix can’t wait to spread the news about the engagement but Nikki blows hot and cold as she prepares for a visit from her daughter, Eve.

Waterloo Road introduces a new bad girl to the cast this evening (January 8) as Gabriella Wark joins the school.
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Gabriella enrols at Waterloo Road following a number of previous expulsions at other schools, but it's clear that she hasn't learned many lessons when she immediately starts causing problems for staff and pupils.

Digital Spy recently chatted to Naomi Battrick, who plays Gabriella, to hear what her rebellious character has in store.

How have you found your time at Waterloo Road?
"I've loved it. I joined the show in June and it's been very different to anything that I've done before, in terms of the longevity of the role and moving away for a long period of time. Everybody has been so wonderful, though - the cast, crew and everyone behind the scenes were all really welcoming when I joined.

"The younger cast all live together in the same block of flats, so that's been really lovely - being able to mingle and chat about scenes. It's also nice to have a bit of a life outside of work!"

When did you first hear about the role of Gabriella?
"My agent gave me a ring and told me that something really exciting could be in the pipeline, as Waterloo Road were casting for a new series regular. I was excited but I didn't want to jinx it, so I tried to play it cool!

"After that I was given a couple of scripts - not whole episodes because they obviously didn't want to give too much away, but I was given a few scenes. I learned those and then had the audition a couple of days later. I met with the team at Waterloo Road, went over the role and did the scenes that I'd learned.

"A few days after that I was told I had the role, which was really exciting and I had a meeting with the producer. It was great to move up to Scotland and then just get on with it, really!"
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Gabriella with her fellow Waterloo Road pupils
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) / Alan Peebles
Gabriella with her fellow Waterloo Road pupils

What can we expect from Gabriella?
"She's quite outrageous! She is naughty but what I found enticing about her is that she isn't that everyday naughty character who's just misbehaving. Gabriella is actually very, very intelligent when it comes to manipulating people and she comes out with some really brilliant lines which completely stump teachers!

"Deep down Gabriella isn't a horrible person. She's a bit like Barry Barry in that sense, as Barry comes across as a really nasty guy but deep down he's just a bit of a lost soul. Gabriella is very similar to that and a lot of the things she does are just for attention. Her parents don't give her much attention, love or anything like that, so she's reaching out to get some of that attention and love."

We've also heard that Gabriella sets her sights on the new PE teacher Hector. Why does she do that?
"We touch on the fact that this is something that she's done before. Gabriella has been expelled from quite a few schools before she comes to Waterloo Road, and I think that's probably one of the reasons she's been told to go away - because she's quite inappropriate!

"Gabriella likes Hector as soon as she sees him. She's one of those characters where as soon as she sets her sights on someone, she's going to do absolutely everything in her power to get him. Gabriella thinks, 'Maybe I'll stay here and pursue this!' Leon who plays Hector is a good-looking chap but what starts out as an everyday crush actually turns into something quite dark. It's a good storyline!"

Does Gabriella go on a journey across the course of the series?
"Oh, definitely. In each episode she goes on a bit of a journey, really, but across the series it becomes more apparent. Gabriella is a troubled person and the thing with Waterloo Road compared to her other schools is that her actions have a lot more consequences. As the viewers know, Christine doesn't really take any rubbish! So Gabriella gets quite a few telling-offs.

"You can expect a bit of a transformation over time, but there are also a couple of teasing transformations where you think that she's changed only to then find out that she absolutely hasn't. Hopefully eventually she'll see that she doesn't have to put a bravado on."

Does Gabriella find it easy or difficult to make friends?
"When Gabriella comes to Waterloo Road, that isn't really something that she sets out for. She honestly never saw herself staying at the school for that long! The first thing she does is mistakes Connor for just a random person and snogs him! Dynasty and Imogen tackle her over that, which obviously doesn't help much with making friends.
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Gabriella kisses Connor
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) / Alan Peebles
Gabriella kisses Connor

"There's a few other problems along the way, but you will see Rhiannon and Gabriella form a twisted friendship. Rhiannon is quite taken in by the façade that Gabriella puts on. Rhiannon is almost like a puppy following her around, but it's the only real friendship that she forms."

This isn't your first TV role, so did your previous work prepare you well for Waterloo Road, or has this been very different?
"It definitely did prepare me well but Waterloo Road is also very different in terms of the way it's filmed, but I think any experience is always going to be great. There are various aspects of being on camera that you have to get used to, so having that experience definitely helped."

Do you have any plans for when your first episode goes out?
"I'm hoping to have a few friends over to watch it with me, but to be honest I'll probably be watching it behind a cushion and cringing!"

Waterloo Road star Zoe Lucker has said that viewers will see a lighter side to her character Carol Barry this series as she embarks on a new job.

Carol takes on a role as a dinner lady in the school after she complains that she hasn't got enough money to send daughter Dynasty on a trip.

Lucker said to Inside Soap: "Carol's not shouting all the time which has made a nice change. We are going to see a much lighter side of Carol, and I think viewers will be surprised.

"I've been working with such an ace set of people and I have had a lot of laughs myself.

"I'm having so much fun with Carol working in the canteen. The new job comes after she goes into the school to see Christine and plead poverty over her daughter Dynasty's school trip.

"She's wearing no make-up at the time and she thinks it will help her cause if she looks terrible! But rather than offering to pay for the trip, Christine sends her straight off to work in the kitchens!"

Lucker also revealed that Carol's new job leads her to strike up an unlikely friendship with languages teacher George (Angus Deayton).

She said: "George ends up stepping in to defend her when her creepy boss misbehaves, and the ball starts rolling from there.

"Carol finds out that George's mother is rich - and of course, Carol will always go for the money. But she is also surprised by how fond she becomes of him!

"They are total opposites but a genuine connection develops between the two of them."

Waterloo Road airs tonight (January 8) at 8.30pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's Nikki Boston has a new girlfriend when the BBC One drama returns to screens this evening (January 8).
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As a new term begins at the school, Nikki is enjoying a romance with free spirit Vix Spark - who is the sister of established regular Sue.

Digital Spy recently chatted to actress Kristin Atherton, who plays Vix, to hear what fans can expect from her character's arrival in the programme.

How's it all gone for you as a newcomer to the show?
"It's been absolutely amazing. It sounds like such a clichéd thing to say, but it's just been the best experience possible. I've mainly done theatre since becoming a professional actress, so this was my first screen job and it was great to have a crew who were so patient, warm and good-humoured. They taught me the ropes and it was really enjoyable.

"I was also really glad to have such a fun character to play. At my age you often tend to get cast as ingénues or women who don't have much tooth to them, but Vix was really cool - I'm not nearly as cool as her in real life!"

What was the audition process like?
"It was a relatively short process. I got the audition way back in May and I wasn't really expecting to get the part, because I hadn't done much screen work before. Even when I did my first audition, I was convinced that I'd done the worst job in the world and that I'd never work in television!

"Two weeks later my agent told me that I'd actually got a recall, so I went in to audition again. Then I had a nervous two-day wait before receiving a really enthusiastic text from my agent saying, 'Call me!' At that point I was doing my regular non-acting job and I remember running through my work screaming rather loudly! It was kind of a whirlwind, as within five days after that I was up filming in Greenock."

What can viewers expect from Vix?
"She's one of those wonderfully confident people who knows herself really well. Vix is very comfortable about her sexuality and she's not shy about the fact that she's a lesbian. She's also an adventurous spirit - she's covered in little tattoos that she's got from her travels.

"Vix is also a businesswoman as she runs her own jewellery-designing business, so she's artistic, creative and a lot of fun. Mostly what people can expect from her is a lot of humour, which will hopefully bring Nikki out of herself a bit. Nikki is amazing and very strong, but probably a bit shyer about her sexuality and shy about what an amazing woman she is. Vix helps her to be more confident."
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Vix Spark and Nikki Boston in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Vix Spark and Nikki Boston

Have Vix and Nikki built up a strong relationship?
"Oh, definitely. It won't be a smooth ride, but despite them being quite different as people and not really knowing where their relationship is going at the beginning, their effect on each other is really positive. Without giving too much away, it is going to be a whirlwind and there'll be lots of ups and downs."

We know that Vix is also Sue's sister...
"Yes, and what will hopefully be interesting for the viewers is just how different Vix and Sue are. You think, 'How are they raised by the same parents?!' There's going to be a bit of drama around whether Sue accepts Vix's relationship or not.

"You'll see a lot of sibling rivalry to start with. Sue is quite prim and not very confident in herself, but Vix is very much the centre of attention and very adventurous. By contrast Sue feels a little bit jealous, but further down the line there's also a lovely sibling bond as they matter an enormous amount to each other."

Do Vix and Nikki go on a journey across the course of the series?
"Definitely - there are some characters who the viewers haven't met yet who will really influence that relationship. There could possibly be a new teacher and possibly be a new student who are going to make that relationship quite a rocky one, so there's a lot of drama to come."

Did you enjoy filming in Greenock?
"I loved filming there. I was born and raised in the Peak District, so I'm a countryside person and I loved driving from Glasgow to Greenock every morning and enjoying all of the scenery. When I was lucky enough to have my boyfriend visiting, we'd also go travelling and enjoy the amazing countryside. Some people find the countryside a little bit sleepy, but I'm as happy as anything there!"

What were Heather Peace (Nikki) and Vanessa Hehir (Sue) like to work with?
"They were amazing. Essentially me and Vanessa are now like adopted sisters! We bonded really quickly and we now go for cocktails and have a gossip together.

"With Heather, it was great to work with someone who's such a pro and who's been doing it for so many years. One of our first scenes was having to kiss each other and that's quite an intimate thing to do with a total stranger, but to have someone so professional, patient and generous was really lovely."

For your next role, are you hoping to stick with TV or do more theatre?
"What I'd like to do is more TV. It's been so much fun, but I also still love theatre, so I'd be really happy with whatever I end up with!"

Waterloo Road's Christine Mulgrew struggles to cope in tonight's episode (January 15) as she learns that her son Connor has landed a job in London.

Christine (Laurie Brett) fears the worst when Connor (Shane O'Meara) tells her that he'll be moving down south straight away to work in the kitchen at a top restaurant.

Although Christine claims that she is worried about the impact on Connor's education, it's clear that her main concern is whether she'll be able to carry on without him - knowing that her sobriety could depend on him being around.

Maggie Budgen and Connor's wife Imogen both think that Christine is being selfish by refusing to support his decision, but whether this will be enough to change her mind remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, when George Windsor (Angus Deayton) takes a more sympathetic approach with Christine, he soon shocks her by revealing that he wants them to be more than just friends. How will she react?


Waterloo Road continues tonight (January 15) at 8.30pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road airs Barry Barry's return scenes next week as he makes a surprise appearance on a night out organised by newcomer Gabriella Wark.

The storyline kicks off as Gabriella (Naomi Battrick) tries to isolate Barry's sister Dynasty, sabotaging her schoolwork and her friendship with Imogen Stewart.
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Gabriella picks on Dynasty during a lesson
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Gabriella picks on Dynasty during a lesson

When the plan pays off, Imogen falls out with Dynasty (Abby Mavers) and decides to spend more time with Gabriella and Rhiannon Salt instead - starting off with a wild night on the town.

Although the evening starts out well, the three girls soon finds themselves in a dangerous situation due to a troublesome combination of alcohol, poker and Gabriella's outrageous behaviour.

As events come to a head, Barry arrives on the scene unexpectedly and quickly catches Gabriella's wandering eye…
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Barry catches Gabriella's eye
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Barry catches Gabriella's eye

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, January 22 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's Carol Barry continues to grow closer to George Windsor next week.

Last night (January 15), viewers saw the unlikely pair strike up a bond after George defended Carol (Zöe Lucker) in a row with her sleazy boss at a bar.

Next week's episode sees George (Angus Deayton) get involved in Carol's problems once again when she is asked to cater for a staff gathering at the school and quickly finds herself out of her depth.

Keen to help out, George advises Carol on the best wine to serve and helps her to make a good impression, knowing that every penny counts for her at the moment.

As George and Carol work together, the chemistry between them is obvious and they soon share a kiss. Could this new romance have a future?



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Carol and George lean in for a kiss
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Carol and George lean in for a kiss

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, January 22 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's Carol Barry continues to grow closer to George Windsor next week.

Last night (January 15), viewers saw the unlikely pair strike up a bond after George defended Carol (Zöe Lucker) in a row with her sleazy boss at a bar.

Next week's episode sees George (Angus Deayton) get involved in Carol's problems once again when she is asked to cater for a staff gathering at the school and quickly finds herself out of her depth.

Keen to help out, George advises Carol on the best wine to serve and helps her to make a good impression, knowing that every penny counts for her at the moment.

As George and Carol work together, the chemistry between them is obvious and they soon share a kiss. Could this new romance have a future?



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Carol and George lean in for a kiss
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Carol and George lean in for a kiss

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, January 22 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's Imogen Stewart finds herself in a dangerous situation in tonight's episode (January 22) as she ends up in a dodgy bar on a wild night out.

Imogen heads out for some fun with Gabriella Wark (Naomi Battrick) and Rhiannon Salt (Rebecca Craven) after her husband Connor leaves to take up his new job in London. However, she soon lives to regret getting involved with troublemaking Gabriella…

We recently caught up with Kirstie Steele, who plays Imogen, to hear more about the dramatic episode for her character.

How is Imogen feeling on the day of Connor's departure?
"When Imogen first heard that Connor was leaving, she was a bit surprised because she had no idea that he'd applied for this job. She had some mixed feelings then, but she has come to realise that it is the best thing for Connor.

"Imogen does want the best for Connor, so she wants to let him get on with his life and have the best opportunities he can. She knows that she'll be reunited with him once the course is finished. At the same time, though, she's heartbroken that he has to leave! Not having him around will be tough to start with."

Normally Dynasty would be a support to Imogen, but that's not the case in this episode. Why is that?
"Imogen is really upset on the morning of Connor's departure, because she knows that it's the last time she's going to see her husband for a while. She's feeling a bit vulnerable and needs some comfort from Dynasty, but she just doesn't seem to get it that day.

"Imogen tries on many occasions, but Dynasty is in her own headspace and is being distracted by arguments with Gabriella. At this point in the storyline, Dynasty and Gabriella keep sabotaging each other. Gabriella even steals Dynasty's homework, so with Dynasty focusing on that, Imogen feels that she's not getting the support and comfort that she needs from her at the moment."

What happens next?
"Gabriella steps in Dynasty's place as Imogen's friend for that day, and that's quite hurtful for both sides - for both Dynasty and Imogen. Dynasty has given Gabriella the attention rather than the friend that needs it, but Dynasty is also having a tough time and needs some attention herself in this episode. Imogen's not in the right frame of mind to help her, though. They both need comfort but they're not giving it to each other, which is a shame!"

As Imogen spends most of her time with Gabriella in this episode, did you enjoy that opportunity to work with someone new?
"Definitely. It's always great to work with new people, and Naomi Battrick who plays Gabriella is brilliant to work with. I think she's brought a new freshness to the show and also a wild side! Gabriella is quite reckless and I think that's quite exciting. It's a good way to mix up characters.

"Gabriella didn't give Imogen the best impression to start with when she kissed Connor, but in this episode, Imogen thinks that Dynasty is being a bit harsh with Gabriella. Imogen doesn't see the side of Gabriella that Dynasty sees, but later on, all is revealed and Gabriella maybe isn't the kind of person that Imogen wants to hang around with."

What were the bar scenes like to film?
"They were really fun to film. Anytime that we're outside the school, it's always like a little trip or adventure - they're always quite exciting scenes to do.

"I find doing drunk scenes quite hard. They're very challenging because we obviously didn't have any alcohol, but you have to put yourself in that position and time everything correctly. We don't always film the scenes in chronological order, so I had to ask the director to find out how intoxicated I was in each scene. But it was a great challenge as an actor to do it, because I've not had to play drunk before."

Imogen ends up in a dangerous situation at the bar. What can you tell us about that?
"Imogen is in a situation where there's some underage drinking going on - quite a lot of drinking in fact! She gets herself into a state, and Gabriella continues to be quite reckless at that point, which is the total opposite of Imogen. They end up in a bad situation.

"It's probably never a good idea to be with someone who's a loudmouth like Gabriella in a dodgy place like that. You'll have to wait and see what happens, but they find themselves in a bit of trouble and Gabriella leaves Imogen and Rhiannon by themselves to figure out what to do. It's not very good for them!"

Were you glad to see the show tackling underage drinking in this way?
"Definitely. Waterloo Road has such a wide variety in its audience, with kids, parents and maybe even grandparents all watching it. It's great to be able to see these things on screen and then have a chat afterwards with people at home. The show brings up conversations and gets people talking about things that need to be said.

"Waterloo Road shows what happens in these sorts of situations and the risks involved. It's great to cover these topics."

Barry Barry also puts in a shock appearance in this episode. Is Imogen involved in that?
"Imogen is involved as she's there when Barry turns up at the bar. She's obviously shocked to see him and Rhiannon is too. The last time they saw him was when he was banished from his family, but now he's back again. Imogen doesn't understand why he's there when they all thought he was in Liverpool at the time. It'll be good to see the reactions when that face pops up!"

Was it strange to have Shane O'Meara (Connor) away for these episodes?
"It was, actually - I said this to Shane when he was away. I was quite used to having him on set with me most of the time from the very beginning. It was even just simple things like walking down a corridor and not having a tall person standing beside you!

"It was like I'd lost a part and I felt quite sad when I was sitting in the classroom scenes and not beside him. Dynasty and Kevin were sitting together, when I'd normally have Shane. But it was also different because we did have new characters to interact with like Gabriella."

What do you make of the fans' reaction to Imogen and Connor's storylines?
"It's been really positive and it's not something that I was ever expecting. To get a reaction from fans and to hear what they're saying is always brilliant. Being on TV, we don't get a live audience, so you get the reaction on Twitter instead. A lot of fans take the time to message me about the storylines and that's all you can ever ask for. I'm really pleased that they've enjoyed the stories and I've also enjoyed playing them, so that's even better."

There are rumours that you've finished filming with the show now, so what's next for you?
"Career-wise, I'd like to continue with acting and see what other roles I can get my teeth into. I've got a taste for it now and I'd like to do more television if I could, especially dramas as they're more fun. All of the students on Waterloo Road do grow up and it's a natural progression when you play it that you will have to graduate at some point, but that keeps things fresh and exciting.

has spoken about her upcoming Waterloo Road role, revealing that her character Mrs Windsor is a "really horrid person".

Craig, who played Ria in BBC sitcom Butterflies during the 1970s and '80s, makes her debut on screen next week as George's mother Mrs Windsor.
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Wendy Craig
Lionel Blair celebrates 60 years in showbusiness at the Dorchester hotel
London, England - 31.05.09
© WENN / Vince Maher
Wendy Craig

Mrs Windsor surprises George when she pays a visit to the school. However, her rude behaviour embarrasses her son and he becomes keen for her to leave.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Craig said: "I was quite excited when I was sent the script, because Mrs Windsor is a really horrid person, a terrible snob - and it's such fun playing that sort of role.

"I have always thought Waterloo Road is very well written and extremely well acted.

"Working with Angus Deayton (George) was delightful. It's still a bit daunting, coming into a new show, but he was so friendly. He's a lovely man."

Craig also praised the show's younger cast members, saying:"I was impressed by the younger members of the cast - they were extremely disciplined.

"When you have a big gang of youngsters together it can be fairly chaotic - but it wasn't the case there. I have great admiration for the young people on the show."

Waterloo Road airs Mrs Windsor's debut on Wednesday, January 29 at 8pm on BBC One.

Carol Barry's unlikely romance with George Windsor hits some challenges on Waterloo Road next week as she meets the schoolteacher's mother Marjorie.

When Marjorie (Wendy Craig) pays a visit, it's immediately clear that she has a superior attitude and a sharp tongue - and won't be best pleased if she discovers that Carol is George's new girlfriend…

We recently caught up with Zöe Lucker, who plays Carol, to discuss what's in store next for her unpredictable character.

Carol Barry is becoming a lot more prominent in this series…
"Yeah, I've absolutely loved it - I've been so much more involved in the show in my second year there, and the character of Carol has also developed a lot more. When we were first introduced to Carol, we only really saw her when she was turning up to the school and was speaking to the teachers about problems with the kids, so it was very much all on one level.

"Last year, I started back filming in May and was working all the way through until November, and the character went down a very different route. Barry is not in the house anymore and Kacey has gone off to America, so it's just Dynasty and Carol left behind. Carol really wants to be able to support Dynasty and give her a chance for a future, the same way Kacey has had.

"It's also gone down a bit more of a comedy route, and I've really enjoyed playing that. I love all of the 'angry Carol Barry' stuff, but now it's also been nice to find lots of different layers to that character. She shows a much softer side, a funnier side and that gave me so much more to play."

Was it an adjustment to deal with a much busier filming schedule?
"It meant that I was in Glasgow a lot, but it still worked out brilliantly with my daughter Lily. We managed to make it all work so that I was never away from home for longer than three or four days at a time.

"Obviously Lily was always cared for by her dad and the rest of the family, and she's totally fine with all that. Because I knew she was happy, safe and busy in school, it meant that I could carry on with doing the job and enjoying it. The cast were absolutely amazing and we had so much fun together."

What kind of response have you seen to the character of Carol since you started playing her?
"I try not to read too much of the response, so all I can really base it on is what people say to me out on the street. I think people really enjoy watching Carol, but I think they're going to enjoy her a lot more with these latest episodes.

"People like Carol because she's protective over her children and is very naughty - she has a distorted view of what's right and wrong. I think people like that you never know what you're going to get from her!"

Were you surprised when you found out about Carol and George's romance?
"Really surprised! It's strange, because I think they're the most unlikely pairing. I thought it was hilarious when the producers suggested that those two would get together. However, George is misunderstood by the pupils and his colleagues, and Carol is misunderstood too - although that's not surprising due to the way she presents herself!

"As George has recently come to Carol's rescue at the pub, there's a twinkle and connection between them. You don't really understand how or why it's happened, but I think George is surprised by Carol, and Carol is surprised by George.

"They develop a fun little friendship, but for Carol, there's definitely more in it. She finds out that George's mother Marjorie is incredibly rich, so it's a double-edged thing. She does really like him, but she also sees that there is possibly money to be made out of the situation."

Can we expect clashes between Carol and Marjorie?
"Yes, definitely! Marjorie is a terrible snob and thinks that nothing is good enough for her George, who is obviously very well-travelled and well-educated.

"George and Carol are keeping their relationship secret at this point, because they know that them being together is a bit weird. Carol feels slightly embarrassed, because George is posh and a teacher, while she is the wife of a convict and mother of three wayward kids. So you just know that George's mum isn't going to approve of the relationship at all! They keep it quiet at first, but then everything unfolds…"

How will Carol react to Barry's return?
"Barry was always the apple of Carol's eye, but when he betrayed his sister, he broke a golden rule by stealing from family. Carol was presented with a real 'Sophie's Choice' at the end of the last series. She didn't want to banish Barry from the house or their lives, but she felt that she had no choice.

"When Barry comes back, he's got a real dark edge to him, which is very unnerving for Carol. She can see that she doesn't have any control over Barry anymore, so there's lots of interesting scenes between the two of them.

"Barry obviously wants to come back home, and Carol is not having any of it, but then he starts blackmailing Carol so that he can get back in their lives. What's coming up is quite dark, but Carl who plays Barry is such a great actor and I absolutely loved the scenes with him. Carl is such a wonderful person and I get on so well with him.

"It's the same with the rest of the Barry family, too - they're all such good actors. I've loved being part of the Barry family and I've had such a great time on Waterloo Road."

12th February


Chalky makes a return to Waterloo Road to lend support to Kevin ahead of his bursary interview, but events take a dire turn when Kevin is suddenly taken ill. Nikki tries in vain to hide her betrayal from Vix, and Audrey vows to support Lula when she’s threatened with deportation.
Kevin is a bag of nerves as his university bursary interview looms despite the legendary Chalky arriving to lend his support. Kevin’s anxiety gets the better of him and he and Dynasty bicker over their very different ideas about the future. Before they can reconcile, Kevin suddenly collapses and is rushed to hospital, sending shockwaves rippling through the school.

Full of regret, Nikki frantically tries to cover up her one night stand with Hector but when a vindictive Gabriella finds out, she sets out to destroy Nikki’s relationship with Vix.

Lula’s overjoyed to be offered a university placement but her excitement is short-lived when her family is threatened with deportation.

Waterloo Road science teacher Sue Lowsley is currently enjoying happier times on screen after a tough introduction to the school last year.

The BBC show's last run of episodes saw Sue hit rock bottom after constantly struggling to control her classes, but her life has since taken a turn for the better.

Digital Spy recently caught up with actress Vanessa Hehir, who plays Sue, to chat about her character's turnaround and where she goes from here.

Are you pleased with how Sue has developed since we first met her?
"Yes, I really am. The first ten episodes were a right old rollercoaster, both for Sue and for me as an actress playing her. It was a huge journey that she went on and now it's just nice to see her happy and not crying! Sue spent most of the first term either in hysterics or popping pills, so it's lovely to see her happy and settled with her husband Simon.

"Sue's teaching is also going a lot better and she's gaining a bit more respect from the kids. For example, Dynasty Barry was lovely when she was doing the First Aid course. Sue is still going to be teased sometimes as she's an easy target and highly sensitive, but I think she's definitely finding her feet and she's starting to enjoy herself a bit more as well."

What's coming up for her in the near future?
"In the next few episodes, you'll see Sue supporting Simon with his Resilience Camp project. She really wants to be there for him, so she rallies the kids around to take part. Things have calmed down, which is nice because I don't think we could have maintained the same level of hysteria with her!"

Did you hear from a lot of viewers who felt sorry for Sue during her tougher times?
"Yes, the feedback that I've received from people was that they felt really sorry for her, though I'm sure there were also some people out there who were really glad to see her become such a victim! (Laughs.)

"At the end of the day, Sue is only trying to do a job and she's not a malicious or horrible person - she's just ambitious for herself and Simon. She's trying to do a job that she knows she's not very good at, but she's always wanted to please other people. Hopefully her confidence will grow and she'll start doing things to please herself rather than the men around her, like her dad and her husband."

What was it like to film so many scenes of Sue being humiliated?
"For any actress, to have a part like that is just a dream, because it's nice and juicy and you get a chance to flex your acting muscles. But they were also exhausting to film. It was hard and when I watched them back, even I was affected watching them because it was so horrible.

"Usually when you're on set, you have a joke and mess around in between takes, but for these scenes I'd tend to keep myself to myself and stay in Sue's headspace. They were hard to film, but as soon as you get home at the end of the day, you just get back to normal life."

Are you glad they've brought in more of a family element for Sue with the introduction of her sister Vix?
"Yes, it's lovely when you get to find out more about the character, because that also gives you a lot more backstory for yourself. Vix and Sue don't have their mum as she died when they were young, so they're there for each other. Like any sisters they don't get along half the time, but they try to be as supportive of each other as they can.

"Sue is also a bit of a prude with Vix being a lesbian - she thinks that it's just a phase and she'll grow out of it! It's not how Sue sees her 'perfect family', but at the end of the day, she just wants her sister to be happy."

We've heard that you're now close friends with Kristin Atherton, who plays Vix, in real life.
"Yes, she's absolutely lovely and as soon as we met, we just clicked. It was like we'd been friends forever and I really hope that shows in the relationship we have on screen, because we felt so at ease with each other. It was great to have that female companion on screen and a new person to play off. She's a surrogate sister for me off screen now too!"

In real life, your husband is Leon Ockenden who plays Hector. What was it like for you when he joined the show?
"It was really surreal - I couldn't quite believe it! It was like a dream come true but also weird because I'd be sitting in make-up, hear his voice and then think, 'I know that voice! Oh, it's Leon!' It still felt like a shock to have him on set even after he'd been filming for a while.

"To have Leon there was really lovely, though. It felt like we were finally able to talk, because we have a toddler and our home life completely revolves around her. That's brilliant, but we rarely get a moment to chat. It was lovely to sit down at lunchtime and have a conversation! We didn't have much to do on screen together, so it was more catching up in dressing rooms or in the canteen at lunch."

How difficult is it to juggle work and family life when you're both filming?
"It's incredibly difficult, but we're the luckiest people in the world because my mother kindly moved up to Glasgow with us. She had her own apartment in the building we were living in, so she looked after our daughter each day. We were so lucky to have her support as she was always there.

"The filming schedules on the show can change at a moment's notice, so we wouldn't have been able to rely on a nanny. It was really hard, but you always want to provide for your daughter's future and set a good example as a working mum."

How often do you get recognised by Waterloo Road fans?
"It probably happens but I'm oblivious to it! I wear glasses, but I always lose them so I hardly ever notice anybody looking! (Laughs.) We did go out for dinner the other night and some teenage girls noticed me straight away after we walked in. I was also out feeding the ducks with my daughter Lilah once and some girls said, 'Oh my God, that woman over there looks like that really awful teacher on Waterloo Road!'

"I'm currently back to blonde hair as we're not filming at the moment, so that means less people will probably recognise me!"

How have you found working with such a young cast on the show?
"It's been incredible. Michelle Smith, the show's casting director, has cast the best people. The young actors are the ones to watch as they're going places. Naomi Battrick who plays Gabriella is so talented, beautiful and lovely.

"They're all so professional and it's amazing how good their improvising skills are too. Mark Beswick who plays Darren has to be my favourite because he's so funny. He improvises so much and it ends up in the show. They should give him a writing credit, because he throws in such Darren-esque lines! I love the energy of working with the kids."

Would you like your next role to be completely different to Sue?
"Yes, I think so! Although what I've enjoyed playing in the next series is that Sue gets a little bit political and becomes a little bit of a baddie! I loved playing that side of her, so maybe I could play a nice baddie character!

"I watched The Musketeers the other night, which was great fun. I've also always wanted to play a nurse on telly, so a part in Holby City or Call The Midwife would be really good and a bit different!"

Waterloo Road headteacher Christine Mulgrew finds herself on a collision course with Carol Barry next week as she disapproves of George Windsor's relationship with the mouthy mum.

Upcoming episodes see Christine (Laurie Brett) become concerned when she discovers that her close friend has started dating Carol (Zöe Lucker).

Christine doesn't trust that Carol's feelings for George are genuine, and her suspicions escalate when the Barry family matriarch is doing some temporary secretarial work at the school.

Working with Carol in close proximity gives Christine the opportunity to examine her behaviour, and she is soon convinced that Carol is only interested in George's money.

When Christine confronts Carol with her suspicions, Carol accuses her of being lonely, jealous and not wanting George (Angus Deayton) to be happy. Is Carol's theory correct, or is Christine right to be suspicious?
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Christine disapproves of Carol and George
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Christine disapproves of Carol and George

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's PE teacher Hector Reid panics in tonight's episode (February 5) as he realises that schoolgirl Gabriella Wark has put herself in danger as part of her desperate quest for attention from him.

When a group of teachers and students head off for Waterloo Road's resilience camp, reckless Gabriella decides to go out rowing alone on the nearby lake, putting herself in danger just so Hector can rescue her.

Digital Spy recently chatted to Leon Ockenden, who plays Hector, to hear more about the episode and his time on Waterloo Road.

What can we expect from this week's episode?
"It's the pinnacle of what Simon and Hector have been working towards with their resilience education ideas. Filming this episode was a lot of fun, because we were up in a beautiful loch.

"There's some good stunts in the episode when things go wrong, and I think visually it's going to be quite spectacular. You also see the real beginnings of Hector's affection blossoming for Nikki and him really trying to get involved with her."

What is it about Nikki that attracts Hector so much, especially as she's with Vix?
"Hector thinks Nikki Boston is fit in every single way, and he sees a bit of himself in her. She's a slightly more conservative version of him. Hector sees a woman who's dynamic, authoritative and yet physical. There's a real physical bond between the characters and that's what draws him towards her. Over the course of the series, Hector is caught out by how genuine his attraction is for Nikki."

What has the Gabriella storyline been like to film?
"Naomi Battrick who plays Gabriella is a cracking actress. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of her in all kinds of different mediums in her future career. We started on the show pretty much at the same time, so it was nice to do our introductory scenes together.

"It's so off Hector's radar that there would ever be a schoolgirl interested in him. He's not unaware of getting female attention, but the students are so off-limits to him, so he's been a bit slow on the uptake with regards to this."

Does Gabriella finally see the error of her ways after her antics in this episode, or will the story run further?
"The story will run across the length of this series and it definitely reaches a climax where it can't continue as it has been, that's for sure!"

Are you in the show just for this set of ten episodes, or longer?
"I'm going to be in the show for a while longer. Scheduling-wise, there won't be a summer term this year because of the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, but I've filmed another ten episodes which will go out in the autumn."

How have you found being part of the show in general?
"I fell in love with Scotland as soon as I moved up there. Michelle Smith, the show's casting director, does such a good job so it's also great to work with a young cast who are extraordinarily talented and will go on to have great careers.

"As well as that, you have the chance to work with actors you've always admired. People like Angus Deayton, Melanie Hill and Neil Pearson were great heroes of mine growing up so it's been brilliant to work with them."

How has it compared to your previous work?
"It's been a while since I've done a continuing drama, where the schedule is so busy as you're filming four episodes at any one time. That takes a bit of getting used to, but because the cast and crew are so helpful, it does all work out. It's also really good fun to film something that's set in a school!"

We know that Vanessa Hehir, who plays Sue, is your wife in real life. What was it like to work on a project with her?
"It was such brilliant fun, actually. We'd been preparing auditions together and helping each other for so long, but our dream was always to work together. Initially when we moved up to Scotland as Vanessa had joined Waterloo Road, it was going to be the case that my acting would take a back seat for a while, because we've got a young daughter and needed to think about childcare.

"Acting can take you all over the place, so then to be able to work on Waterloo Road nearby was really brilliant. Vanessa is a hugely talented actress, so I felt like I had somebody looking out for me and giving me helpful acting notes - which she's not shy of doing! She definitely makes me a better actor, that's for sure!"

Have you been recognised by any fans in public yet?
"We're in Manchester at the moment, where they used to film the show. There's a girl next door who I've known for a while, and she's right in the demographic of people who enjoy Waterloo Road. Vanessa and I are actually going into her school in a couple of weeks to teach a drama lesson. She set that up with her teacher and is very excited about it. But I haven't had anyone who I don't know recognise me yet!"

We read online that you used to be a baker. How did you make the jump into acting?
"Essentially what happened was that I was given the opportunity to work in Germany and Sweden on an international exchange of labour for trainee chefs and bakers. I'd just qualified as a baker at that point. I went to Germany for six months and Sweden for six months. I got to see a bit of the world, grow up and become more confident. Then I worked in London in the kitchen in a posh hotel, but I ran away from that job on April Fool's Day! I ended up working in Amsterdam and it was there that I had the epiphany and decided that I should be an actor.

"I came back to the UK, went into a careers advice place and said, 'I want to be an actor'. They said, 'No you don't!', but I explained that I had something to fall back on. They asked if I'd thought about drama schools, so I did a BTEC in performing arts and then applied to drama schools. I ended up going to a drama school in London."

What have your career highlights been?
"Definitely finally getting to work with Vanessa - that's been a big highlight. I was in a really fun play called Muswell Hill which was certainly one of the best pieces of writing I've been involved with.

"I also did Tripping Over, a show created by Mike Bullen who did Cold Feet. Filming-wise it was the best job. We filmed for three weeks in Bangkok, three weeks in London, three weeks in Sydney and seven weeks in Melbourne. I got to play a real off-the-rails guy from the north of England called Callum. That was a lot of fun because the character I was playing was either ecstatic and taking lots of drugs or crying his eyes out! As an actor, you always like those extremes."

Waterloo Road's Kevin Chalk is rushed to hospital in next week's episode after suffering a stroke.

Kevin, played by Tommy Lawrence Knight, is preparing for a university bursary interview when his health takes a sudden turn for the worse.
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Kevin in hospital
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Kevin in hospital

A day of surprises for Kevin begins when Chalky (Mark Benton) unexpectedly arrives at the school to lend his support, promising to accompany him to Edinburgh for the interview.

Unfortunately for Kevin, he can't rely on the same support from girlfriend Dynasty Barry (Abby Mavers) as she reveals that she doesn't necessarily share his plans for their future.

Just as Kevin is trying to reason with Dynasty, he suddenly collapses in a classroom and is rushed off for emergency medical treatment.

When doctors confirm that the teenager has suffered a stroke, it's touch and go as to whether he'll pull through…
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Dynasty is distraught over Kevin's health scare
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Dynasty is distraught over Kevin's health scare
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Chalky and Maggie hope for the best
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Chalky and Maggie hope for the best

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, February 12 at 8pm on BBC One.

26th February

Dynasty is faced with a terrible dilemma when she discovers how Barry is making money; Christine is angry to find Darren with inappropriate images again but discovers some shocking truths when she visits his home, as the school drama continues.
Dynasty sets off for a police interview but her hopes are dashed when her family’s criminal background is revealed. She's soon distracted by Barry’s cagey behaviour and is shocked to uncover the truth behind his new job. To prove she’s not cut from the same cloth, she is forced to make a weighty decision that will change the Barrys' lives once and for all.

Darren is in serious trouble when he’s discovered with indecent images on his phone yet again. Determined to get to the root of his behaviour, Christine makes an unannounced visit to his home but is left appalled and shaken by what she finds.

Waterloo Road airs a big episode for teenager Kevin Chalk this evening (February 12) as he suffers a massive health scare ahead of his university interview.

Kevin will find his life turned upside down after he collapses whilst arguing with girlfriend Dynasty Barry over their future and it later becomes apparent that he has had a stroke.

Digital Spy recently caught up with actor Tommy Lawrence Knight, who plays Kevin, to hear more about tonight's episode and what it will mean for his future.

What was your reaction when you first found out that Kevin would suffer a stroke?
"Instantly it was fear, I think. When I was first told, my heart nearly stopped. I got quite scared at first because it's a big deal. There is obviously a chance it could offend people as well, so I was scared about that. Pride also came in as I thought because they have given me this storyline, they must think I am capable of doing it which is a nice gesture. I was quite proud of myself. But I am pleased to be given this opportunity, even though it comes with a lot of fear."

Did the producers let you know about the storyline in advance so that you could prepare?
"I was told about two or three weeks before we got the scripts which would have been about a month before we started shooting it. So I knew about a month in advance what the storyline was going to be, and so I spent the month researching, standing in front of a mirror practicing and asking for advice."

So did the storyline require quite a lot of research on your part, or was it mostly left to the writers?
"I started off researching it myself as soon as I was told and finding out all I could. There are videos on YouTube, like speech therapy and from different stroke victims to try and get an understanding of what the recovery process was like. There are no videos of anyone actually having a stroke because that would be quite terrible but there are adverts out where you see the side of someone's face and they say 'Can they lift their arms?' 'Can they smile?'

"I think FAST is the acronym that they use to say look out for. So I did a lot of research myself, and as we got closer I went and spoke to some of the writers and they prepared a little sheet for me in more detail on the type of stroke Kevin had, which is an ischemic stroke and is one of the most common types of strokes. I think 80 per cent of strokes are ischemic and so I was able to find out more about that, research it and do all I could."

Many people probably don't realise that young people like Kevin can suffer a stroke. Did you know much about this issue before taking on the storyline?
"I think like a lot of people, I also assumed that strokes were an old age thing. I think most strokes they say happen to people over the age of 65 but last year in the UK, there were over 120 kids under 18 who had a stroke and that is a lot of people. So it does happen and I think it's great that the awareness is out there now and that the show is able to do that. If you see something like that happen, you don't necessarily think 'he is having a stroke' if he is a young person. You just don't think of that straight away."

On the day this episode takes place, Chalky returns unexpectedly. How does Kevin react to his surprise return?
"Obviously, he loves Chalky. He is his foster dad and he has effectively saved his life. He is over the moon. He has his Edinburgh interview coming up so he is very nervous and then Chalky turns up and it is a sigh of relief at first. He thinks he has got someone on his side now and someone to help him feel good about it, but then as the episode goes on, you find out that Chalky is as nervous as Kevin which doesn't really help the situation at all and he turns Kevin into a bit of a bag of nerves."

How did you feel about having Mark Benton (Chalky) back for such an important episode for Kevin?
"It was brilliant. Mark's amazing. He is fun to work with and a right laugh on set. He makes me feel really relaxed because when I started Waterloo Road, I did a lot of scenes with him. Obviously there has been some time since he left so I hadn't seen him for a while. It was a great opportunity to laugh with him again."

Kevin and Dynasty have a bit of a row just before he's due to leave for his big interview. Can you tell us about the row and why they fall out?
"Well, so far we have seen a growth of Dynasty as she is finding out through the resilience camp how she is a lot stronger. She is finding all these leadership skills and all sorts from this camp and she is getting drawn to going into the police force. In her head, she is set on joining the police force, but Kevin and everyone else around him has been assuming she would be going to join him in Edinburgh so he is a bit hurt. So she is saying 'No, I don't want to go to Edinburgh with you. I want to stay here and join the police force' and that is when the argument starts."

Can you tell us about the scene where Kevin collapses and what it was like to film?
"It was terrifying. I have seen little pre-cuts of it but I haven't seen the final episode. I was quite nervous on the day. Basically Kevin is about to leave for his interview, but he decides that he doesn't want to go with a clouded mind of guilt over the argument he had with Dynasty. So he rushes back in to apologise to her and I think all the stress reaches a peak and it causes him to have a stroke whilst he is apologising to her. Dynasty is left completely distraught."

Kevin has obviously been under a lot of stress. Could this have triggered the stroke?
"Yes, in this case it did. It is all due to high blood pressure which stress can obviously cause. It is not the same for all cases, but in this situation, it is definitely triggered by stress."

It's going to be touch and go as to whether Kevin will pull through - is he in a lot of danger?
"Yeah he is. There is a recovery process that goes on for a while and it is quite severe for Kevin."

This incident will be a wake-up call for Dynasty - could it bring her and Kevin closer together again if Kevin pulls through?
"You'd hope so. She would be feeling a lot of guilt and is obviously a very loyal person. She is the sort of person that would want to stick by him but then that is also pulling her away from her dreams. She can't go running off to the police force because now she feels guilty and obliged to stay with Kevin."

You've been on Waterloo Road for a few series now - how would you sum up the experience?
"It's been quite enlightening I think. I've had a great time and met so many actors and I've met a lot of people but I think it is the reaction outside of work that has changed my life the most. Going into Topshop or something and having people follow you around while you are trying to pick a new pair of socks out can be quite intimidating. You try your hardest not to let it bother you but it has completely changed my life."

What kind of reaction do you get from the fans and are they supporters of the Kevin/Dynasty romance?
"Mostly positive. I am quite lucky because I haven't really had any bad experiences. You get the odd rude person who demands a picture but everybody is quite nice and positive. I think they like Kevin and Dynasty's little storyline. I am with Abby a lot of the time outside of work so we probably get noticed a lot more than we should."

Kevin and Dynasty are in their final year at the school - are these current 10 episodes your last, or will you be in the next 10 too?
"Without saying too much, what this stroke means is that Kevin doesn't finish his last year of school because the recovery process takes up a lot of time. He was anticipating university and a happy life after that but this gets him away and completely throws him. He becomes lost and he doesn't quite have the drive for things anymore. When people suffer from ischemic strokes, it really affects them mentally through speech and movement. It slows them down and simple things like adding up can become a big problem even for someone that is very intelligent. He could sit there and speak to you in another language but he can't count five blocks on the table. It really throws him and alters all his dreams."

Which episodes or stories have been your favourites to film?
"The resilience camp episode was great – I love things like that. We spend so much time in the school and one scene kind of drags to another and the whole thing is all one big blur looking back apart from the days where we are outside and we have scenes in public. Also, the heavy episodes we had last year with Steve-O and Dynasty and the rape storyline, that was great to film as that was outside of the school. I really liked that. It puts you in a new environment and it always feels quite fresh when you are in a new place."

You're known for playing likeable characters - would you enjoy the challenge of playing a nastier character in the future?
"I'd love to give it a go. I go off for the odd audition for a nasty character but it doesn't happen, I don't know what it is. I think I need to practice being a bit mean. I don't have it in me."

We know that acting runs in your family - how did you get into it?
"I started off doing dancing and singing when I was little and then I went to a local dance school like my older brother and sister had done. They had done local pantomimes and things and I watched them and thought it was great. I did an open audition in the West End when I was 6 and it pulled through and after that I got myself an agent. I have kind of fallen into it. I have always told myself that I would get an education and I will do something else, but then I get a nice job and it's become my life."

Read more Waterloo Road spoilers and news

Waterloo Road airs on Wednesdays at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's former Maths teacher Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk makes a return visit in a big episode for Kevin this evening (February 12).

Chalky arrives back to support Kevin (Tommy Lawrence Knight) on the day of his university bursary interview, but the happy day takes a horrifying turn for the worse when the teenager suffers a stroke and is rushed to hospital.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Mark Benton, who plays Chalky, to hear his thoughts on the emotional episode.

How did it feel to return to Waterloo Road for this episode?
"It was great. It was just like stepping back into familiar shoes. It was like I'd never been away, so I really enjoyed it and it was nice to go back and see everybody."

Did you always expect to come back at some point?
"When I left, I started in Hairspray but Waterloo Road asked me back a few times. I couldn't do it because I wasn't available, but in the end we were able to squeeze in an episode between venues for Hairspray.

"It was great fun and we filmed my scenes over two days. I did Hairspray on the Saturday night and then I flew to Glasgow on the Sunday morning. I filmed all day Sunday and Monday, but then flew back on the Tuesday. It was literally full-on filming for the two days."

What made you want to come back?
"I was all for it once I heard about the storyline they had planned. It's an interesting topic for the show to explore and I knew that it wasn't just going to be a comedy story, so that's what swayed me."

What can you tell us about Chalky's return?
"Chalky returns to support Kevin on the day of his university bursary interview, but then the gist of the storyline is that Kevin has a stroke before he's due to leave for the interview. That was what interested me, because many people don't realise that a lot of young people do have strokes.

"There's a charity called Different Strokes that looks after young people in these situations. I don't think this has been broached on a soap before, so that's what drew me back."

What are the consequences for Chalky and Kevin?
"The lovely thing about the writing in this episode is that you get the full gamut of Chalky, if you like! There's a bit of comedy and fun, but then it gets very serious and emotional towards the end of the episode. Hopefully it will then turn out to be quite uplifting, so it's a really lovely journey that Chalky goes on in the episode. I hope people will really enjoy it and be glad to see Chalky back."

Has life been going well for Chalky?
"Yeah, he has new trendy glasses so it must be going well! He's doing really well in London, so all is good - that's part of the reason why it's such a shock when Kevin does have a stroke."

Who did you most enjoy catching up with on set?
"A lot of the people from my time had already gone, but it was obviously really good to see Melanie [Hill, who plays Maggie]. She's such a good person and a wonderful actress as well. Tommy is also a great actor and a lovely guy.

"I'm still in touch with a lot of the actors from my time on the show, including Alec Newman, Philip Martin Brown and Melanie. You also tend to bump into people at various places, which is always nice."

Would you return to the show again?
"Never say never. It would all depend on storylines, really. If there was a good storyline and something interesting to explore, then I'd definitely come back. I wouldn't like to rule it out, because I loved playing Chalky so much. He's such a lovely character so it's not a difficult thing to get back into."

What's next for you?
"I've been doing the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, and as for the future, I don't know yet - we'll see what happens! There's a few offers and irons in the fire, but nothing definite yet. I love doing both stage and screen work. They're so different, so I love them both for different reasons."

If we don't see Chalky again, how would you like him to be remembered?
"Fondly, I guess. I think he's a lovely character and he had a strong journey on the show. He got stronger as time went on and had a great story with Kevin. I hope people remember him with a smile!"

Waterloo Road's Audrey McFall leads the school in a huge protest in next week's episode.

The history teacher insists on decisive action when she learns that the immigration office are threatening the future of teenage pupil Lula Tsibi (Marlene Madenge).

Audrey (Georgie Glen) is horrified when she learns that immigration officials have already taken away Lula's mother and are now searching for her too.

Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse as headteacher Christine Mulgrew has the day off and her stand-in George Windsor (Angus Deayton) isn't entirely sympathetic towards Lula's cause.

Feeling frustrated as the situation starts to divide the teaching staff, Audrey turns to the students for support and urges them to organise a protest…
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George takes over as headteacher for the day
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
George takes over as headteacher for the day
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Harley comforts Lula
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Harley comforts Lula
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The students protest over Lula's future
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
The students protest over Lula's future

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, February 19 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road has released a new spoiler video previewing Lula Tsibi's turmoil as immigration officers take away her mother Cecile during next week's episode.

When the officers arrive at the Tsibis' front door, Cecile panics and forces the teenager to escape out the window and run away.

After successfully escaping, a devastated Lula (Marlene Madenge) watches on as Cecile is escorted away and put in the car.


As previously reported, Audrey McFall (Georgie Glen) will lead the school in a huge protest after learning of the situation Lula is in.

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, February 19 at 8pm on BBC One.

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Waterloo Road bad boy Barry Barry doesn't face an easy time as he tries to impress Gabriella Wark in next week's episode.

Barry (Carl Au) is determined to secure a long-term future with Gabriella, so he tries to show his romantic side by inviting her out for lunch at an upmarket hotel.

Gabriella (Naomi Battrick) accepts the invite but seems to have sabotage in mind when she asks her friend Rhiannon Salt to come along on the date, well aware that Barry doesn't like her.

Later, when Barry turns up at the school showing off a flash car and a stylish suit, his enthusiasm is short-lived when Gabriella announces that Rhiannon (Rebecca Craven) will be joining them for lunch.

Things go from bad to worse during the meal as Rhiannon doesn't respond well to the exotic food on the menu. As Barry loses patience, what will this mean for his future with scheming Gabriella?
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Barry tries to impress Gabriella
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Barry tries to impress Gabriella
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Barry greets Gabriella
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Barry greets Gabriella
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Rhiannon causes a scene during the lunch
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Rhiannon causes a scene during the lunch

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, February 19 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road's Audrey McFall organises a huge protest at the school in tonight's episode (February 19) after learning that pupil Lula Tsibi is in danger of being taken away by the immigration office.

The History teacher rallies her students to support and protect Lula (Marlene Madenge) before it's too late, but her drastic actions aren't supported by many of her colleagues.

Digital Spy recently chatted to Georgie Glen, who plays Audrey, to hear her thoughts on the dramatic episode.

How does Audrey react when she finds out that Lula could be sent away?
"Audrey is horrified and completely shocked by it. Lula is one of her best students as she's hard-working with fabulous prospects. She has a good chance of getting to university, she's very committed and she has a wise head on young shoulders, so Audrey can't believe that the law would ride roughshod over that. Audrey thinks that the situation is a grave injustice."

Would Audrey feel so strongly if one of the other students was in this position?
"That's a tricky one! I think Audrey is a very fair-minded teacher and I'm sure that she'd like to think that she treats all of her students the same way, but she is human and she does have a soft spot for Lula. I don't think Audrey would feel quite as strongly with some of the other pupils.

"She would hope not to show that, but Audrey has got a steely eye and there are some kids she'd probably be glad to see the back of if she has tried to win them over and hasn't succeeded. At the same time, Audrey would always fight injustice and if she felt something was wrong, she would always stand up to it."

When Audrey organises the protest, doesn't she worry about getting into trouble at work?
"I don't think she does! Audrey has got a history because she's done this kind of thing before, and once she gets the bit between her teeth, she doesn't think about the consequences. She's come unstuck in the past with things like that, as she doesn't always do things by the book!

"At face value, Audrey is old-fashioned and a stickler for discipline, but I think she's got a bit of rebel in her as well. If she does feel strongly about something, she doesn't mind if it goes against common beliefs or the establishment. She's prepared to stand up and be counted, often without a thought of the consequences. I quite like that about her, because she does things with the best of intentions."
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The students protest over Lula's future
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
The students protest over Lula's future

Not all of the teachers share Audrey's strong feelings on the situation. How does she feel about that?
"Sue becomes very outspoken about immigration, which Audrey feels angry about. There's also George, who takes a very laid-back attitude towards everything and doesn't like getting involved. On the other hand, some of the characters are sympathetic but they very much want to play it by the book. People like Christine and Simon think that Lula having to leave doesn't seem right, but they have to obey the law.

"Audrey ends up feeling frustrated on all sides because she feels the law is wrong. She even takes it out on the immigration officer. He's just doing his job, but it's beyond her understanding that something like this could happen.

"It's realistic that there are so many different responses to it, and Audrey isn't really surprised by the way other people react. She wouldn't bear grudges, but she's disappointed that the others won't join her. Audrey would rally the troops if she could."

Maggie gets involved too, doesn't she?
"Yes, Maggie and Audrey have very different backgrounds but when they get together, they're quite a strong team - although they would usually tackle things in a different way. They're united in this situation and they work as a team, until Maggie takes things into an area that Audrey is not comfortable with."

You've been on Waterloo Road for a while now. How would you sum up your time there?
"I've really loved it. I hesitated before accepting it, because I've never really got committed to a long-term project before. I've always ducked and dived and gone in and out of quite a wide variety of work. I've really appreciated that - I've loved doing films, costume drama and comedy.

"I was worried that I could just disappear down a one-way street by doing a continuing drama, but it's been a great experience for me. It presents different challenges and I love the fact that we have the luxury of time to get to know the whole team and work intimately together. That's something you don't do if you're just doing a show for a week or a day. I'm lucky to have had the experience."

What kind of reaction do you get from the show's fans?
"It's so fantastic as they're so positive. I've been amazed at how many people come up and talk to me. I think Audrey is very approachable, polite and understanding, so people sometimes confuse the actor with the character and feel comfortable enough to come up for a chat with her! I'm delighted to talk to anybody if they want to speak to me, so it's great.

"I get a real mixture of ages approaching me, too. I think older women love to have an older woman on TV who they can relate to, while younger viewers respect her as a teacher. I know they laugh at her because she's old-fashioned, but they know where they stand with teachers like that and they see the good in her."

Do you share many similarities with Audrey?
"She's more like me than I'd probably care to admit, I have to say! She's like my sensible older sister and she's got a moral compass because she does so many good things. She goes out to Africa in the summer breaks, which is something I've never done. She's a better person than I am, but at the same time, I think she can perhaps be more misguided.

"I'm married with two children, and who knows whether Audrey has children or whether she's been married? It's never been written about, but she does wear a wedding ring. Inevitably in acting you use a lot of yourself in the character, so I am quite similar to her in many ways. Often if I don't know what to do in a situation I think, 'What would Audrey do now?' because she'd probably make a better decision than I would!"
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Georgie Glenn as Audrey McFall in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Audrey has more drama on the way

What's coming up next for Audrey after this week's episode?
"It's never long before she gets another cause to fight! She goes off on another tangent further down the line and she's just as rebellious."

Do the younger cast approach you for advice?
"If I'm honest, I often approach them for advice! They're an amazing bunch of kids. I'm always just blown away by their professionalism and their maturity. They're an incredible team and they're so supportive of each other. I would never give advice if it wasn't asked for, but when it is, my advice is always things like, 'Keep your head down, be professional and don't make waves'.

"The acting world is small so the reputation you want to make is a good one. Fortunately the younger cast do that anyway. They're regular characters in a primetime show so they've already proved their worth and they work very, very hard."

Is there anyone in particular among the young cast who you'd tip for a bright future?
"In our business, it just depends on which opportunities come your way and whether that presents a wave that you can ride. An awful lot is down to luck. You can have all the talent in the world, but without luck it can go unrewarded, which is an awful truth.

"You have to just keep trying. A series could come up that would be perfect for one of them and suddenly propel them higher up the ladder. It just depends on what happens and whether they seize the opportunity."

12th March 2014


A sober Christine deals with the repercussions of her drink-driving offence. Kacey is selected for the Commonwealth Games but Gabriella soon puts an end to her happiness. Nikki’s future at Waterloo Road is suddenly thrown into uncertainty.
Connor returns to support a vulnerable Christine amid the fallout of her drink-driving incident. Though she vows to make amends, both the school and the Education Board are divided on her future at Waterloo Road.

Kacey and Gabriella’s feud escalates and turns nasty as Gabriella causes an accident that leaves Kacey’s boxing dreams in tatters.

Nikki’s career is called into question when a student makes an accusation against her. Vix reaches out to her in support, but will there be time for them to reconcile before Vix leaves for good?

Waterloo Road student Dynasty Barry makes one of the most difficult decisions of her life in tonight's episode (February 26) as she reports her own brother Barry to the police.

Dynasty, who is hoping for a career in the police, turns her back on Barry (Carl Au) when she makes a concerning discovery about his latest money-making scheme.

Digital Spy recently chatted to Abby Mavers, who plays Dynasty, to hear more about this big turning point for the Barry family.

What was this episode like to film?
"I loved it. The story was a bit of a shock because even though Dynasty has always had a love-hate relationship with Barry, I never really thought that she would do something like this to her own family. Even though Dynasty likes to make out that she can't stand Barry, it was surprising that she'd go this far.

"With the help from the teachers at the school, Dynasty has realised that she deserves a bit of happiness herself and she needs to start doing the right thing, rather than just following the family."

The story starts when Dynasty attends her police interview. How does it go?
"Dynasty is really excited about it. Even though she's slightly awkward and she says some of the wrong stuff, she tries hard and I think she does come across well. Surprisingly, she impresses one of the interviewers.

"As Dynasty is coming out afterwards, one of the interviewers approaches her and brings up the fact that her dad is in prison. That makes Dynasty realise that the positive reaction she got in the room was all just a lie and nobody is ever going to take her seriously because of her family background.

"All of the police know what Dynasty's dad is like, so they'd just expect her to be like her family. They don't want to give her a chance, really."

Are you glad that Dynasty has surprised people with her chosen career path?
"Yeah, I am. Dynasty is one of those girls who likes to do her make-up and her eyelashes, so people might think, 'Oh, she's too much of a bimbo to be able to do a job that actually takes brains'. I don't think anyone expected Dynasty to go and try out for this, especially because of her family's history.

"I do think Dynasty would be good in the police, though. Although she would be firm and she can get the job done, she would probably also understand where the criminals are coming from. She'd have the best interests of everyone at heart and I think she'd be fair."

After the interview, Dynasty makes a shocking discovery about how Barry is making money… How does she react?
"Dynasty has been fed up for the past few weeks. The bailiffs have been at the house, Carol ended up dating someone else, and Dynasty almost lost her best friend to Gabriella. Dynasty's head is battered and she's just trying to keep it all together.

"When Barry first came back, it took the strain off Dynasty. She had her big brother back and he seemed so different and grown-up. Dynasty hoped that she could go back to being a kid again and Barry could take over as the grown-up one. But in actual fact, it all turns out not to be the case and Barry is back to his old ways. Dynasty is in a state of shock."

Would you say Dynasty reports Barry just to impress the police, or is she genuinely trying to do the right thing?
"Dynasty has decided that she wants to listen to herself and do the right thing. She wants to do what's morally right and she's trying to break the chain. If Dynasty keeps quiet, it will just go on and on. For a family like that, it just takes one person to say, 'No, I'm not part of that'. Once that happens, it can't continue. Dynasty does it for the greater good and it's tough love for Barry."

Is Dynasty worried about how Carol might react to her decision?
"Definitely. Dynasty adores her mum, as much as she gets on her nerves from time to time! There's a lot to think about, but at the end of the day, she just has to put that at the back of her head and concentrate on her own future."

What has Kevin's stroke storyline been like to film?
"Me and Tommy [Lawrence Knight, who plays Kevin] both knew that the story had to do justice to the people who have been through this in real life. We didn't want people to watch it and think that we didn't know what we were doing, so I know that Tommy did a lot of research.

"We just tried to be honest with our performances and it's really lovely to work with Tommy because we're both so relaxed around each other."

You must be pleased with the fan response to Dynasty and Kevin's romance.
"Yeah, it's really nice. It's not one of those relationships you watch on screen where the scenes are really raunchy, it's one of those Disney kind of romances! I think that's nice for kids who watch it, because they'll think that's what they want for themselves. It's not too much of a grown-up relationship they've got, it's just that they're best friends and they get on well. I've really enjoyed playing it."

Tommy told us recently that you both get recognised a lot by fans as you're always together! How do you find that?
"When you're outside of work, you just forget about the job and you don't realise that people might recognise you. People are surprised enough to see one person from the show but if they see two, they'll think, 'What's going on?!' Me and Tommy are together in real life as well as on screen, but nobody really knows that so it can be a bit weird! It's still always nice to meet the fans, though."

Kacey will be back on screen soon. What can we expect from her return?
"She's just going to come back with a nice tan and expect everything to be hunky-dory and everyone to welcome her back with open arms. But in typical Barry family style, she's not going to get that!"

Away from Waterloo Road, what are your future acting ambitions?
"The good thing about being on Waterloo Road was that I wore a lot of make-up, I had short skirts and wore my hair up, so there was a certain look for the part. For the future I'd just like to try something new and get a role where I don't look like that. I could play the polar opposite where I look like I need a bath! (Laughs.) It'd be great to do something different and try new things."

Waterloo Road bad boy Barry Barry left the show in dramatic fashion in this week's episode as his latest money-making scheme backfired badly.

When Barry's sister Dynasty (Abby Mavers) discovered that he was involved in human trafficking, she was appalled and made the life-changing decision to report him to the police.

With Barry now facing jail for his crime, his journey on the BBC One drama has come to an end - so Digital Spy caught up with actor Carl Au this week for an exclusive chat about his departure from the role.

How are you feeling now that your time on Waterloo Road is over?
"It is sad to say a final goodbye to Barry and I will miss working with the level of actors and creatives that Waterloo Road has, but I leave feeling positive as I've been part of something very special. For me it feels right to step out of Barry's shoes and get back into my own!"

Would you have stayed on the show for longer, or did you feel this was the right time for Barry to go?
"It felt right if I'm honest, because Barry was getting older in the show. A lot of the characters are getting older now and they do outgrow the school, so you know yourself when it's time to move on. I wouldn't want to exhaust Barry's time on Waterloo Road, as I feel his time has been full-lived and outrageously bold. 'Go hard or play hard' was my motto throughout when I was playing Barry.

"Plus, for these episodes I had half of my head shaved with a section of hair on top - which I called 'The Ferret'! (Laughs.) I quite liked changing my hairstyle for the show, but any longer and who knows, I might have been entirely bald! To leave with some hair on my head was better than none at all!"

We're used to seeing Barry as a bad boy, but his exit story saw him take things way too far. How did you feel about that?
"I remember first reading that Barry would get involved in human trafficking and I was surprised that he'd become so messed up, but for Barry to leave the show, it had to be something extreme. At least he wasn't killed off! I'd like to think that Barry would still be his usual self in prison, maybe even forming an alliance with his dad in there. Either way, it's nice to think that his impact will live on.

"Human trafficking obviously is a big storyline and I think it's too big for one episode, although we tried to cram it all into one. But Barry has followed entirely in his dad's footsteps and after being let down by his family and his girlfriend, he sought stability and comfort in the one thing that he knew he could succeed in - business with the big boys. That's how he is and he didn't see another option for himself."

How did you feel about Dynasty being the one who turned Barry in?
"Barry had wronged a lot of people so any one of them could have handed him in, but I think of all the people to get involved, it had to be Dynasty. There's a love between them but also quite a lot of tension, as Barry was never a fan of what he thinks are Dynasty's crazy attempts to distance herself away from the family.

"If anyone else was standing in his way, Barry would have known about it, but in this case it was the realisation that it was his own family who turned him in. That really hits him hard and it makes him realise that he's crossed way over the line and it's far from mendable. What he's done is unforgivable and even his own family can't stick by him this time."

Are you glad that Barry was seen to get his comeuppance rather than going on the run?
"I think the action man in me would have loved a dramatic chase scene attempting to run away from the police! But I think we all knew that it was going to have to end this way. What Barry does is inexcusable and demoralising. He's bitten off a little more than he can chew this time, but I think it's important to remember his vulnerable, softer side and all of the encounters he's had which have shown that.

"With the lack of stability at home and lack of a father figure, it's no wonder that Barry is a little messed up. I feel that he's totally misunderstood and underneath his hard exterior is a good guy, and we've seen glimpses of that throughout. But Barry thinks that this life of crime is all that he's destined for, and he doesn't know any better."

When did you film Barry's exit?
"The last scenes were filmed in early October last year. As we film the show out of sequence, my last scene was actually one from last week's episode, when Rhiannon tagged along to Barry's romantic meal."

What was your last day on set like?
"After the final scene, our lovely producer Lizzie came out to give me a farewell speech. She handed me a silver picture frame with a picture of the Barry family in it, which had been signed by each of my on-screen family, and she also gave me an empty box for Barry's shoes, which I was wearing at the time! I'd asked earlier that day if it would be possible to keep hold of something of his, so it seemed perfect that I was able to keep his shoes after I've enjoyed walking in them for so long.

"It was a really nice moment, but it was also quite funny because after the presents and the speech, one of our camera guys Alan told us that we had to actually film one shot again. People were getting a bit emotional but we had to pull it together, rein it in and shoot! I had to hand all my gifts back to the producer!"

Would you be interested in revisiting the role of Barry in the future, even just for an episode or two?
"Never say never! You can never predict these things, especially in this business. All I can say for now is that I've loved Barry and being part of the show. It'd be interesting to maybe see him in prison with his dad, as we've never seen that character before. We could also see whether Barry loses his hard exterior or not when he's in jail. It'd be interesting to hear what Barry's fans and followers think about that one!"

Are you hoping Barry still gets some mentions on screen?
"It'd be fun to hear some references and it'd be good to know that he's still alive on screen. I hope Barry's legacy lives on and he continues to strike fear in the hearts of all those teachers who've had the misfortune of dealing with him! I think you either love him or love to hate him and I'm lucky that people have been entertained by the choices I've made as an actor for Barry."

What have you been getting up to since you finished filming?
"I had to allow myself some time to step out of Barry's shoes and get back to wearing my own. I've really enjoyed reconnecting with myself and doing the things that I like to do - seeing my family and friends and going on holiday over the Christmas break.

"I'm always learning and practising as an actor too. I think it's really important to keep fresh and keep educating yourself, so I've been concentrating on that. I like to keep busy so I've also started writing some of my own material. I don't know where that will go, but it's something I've decided to do for myself. There's been discussions over some new projects, but we shall see and I'm just keeping my options open at the moment."

What are your ambitions for the future?
"I have my personal goals firmly fixed in place, but I want to continue growing as an actor and performing in whichever opportunities come along. I've had so many lovely heartfelt letters from fans which validate to me why I love what I do. If it means I can be part of an exciting drama, film, theatre play or musical, then I'd love to share my passion for all of the above."

Have you kept in touch with your on-screen family?
"I have! I'm in contact with Zöe [Lucker] a fair bit - I love her to bits and I think she's amazing. I'm planning to visit her at some point as she's invited me over. I've met up with Brogan [Ellis] for food, and I also had a funny text from Abby [Mavers] when she walked into the same shop that I did, just after I'd walked out! Neither of us knew but the shop assistant told her, 'Barry Barry was just in here!' so we had a laugh about that over text. I'm planning to keep in touch with them all."

Would you consider a role in one of the 'big four' soaps?
"My mum and sister absolutely love the soaps, so they'd love to see me in one! Again, never say never - you never know where you'll be or what you'll be doing in this industry. If the opportunity arose, it'd be interesting to see what type of character it would be - would it be similar to Barry or different? In real life I'm not really like Barry at all, so for me, playing this type of character was a great challenge."

What are your favourite memories from your time on Waterloo Road?
"There are quite a lot! The first day when I met the rest of the gang for the first time always stands out. It was nice to be welcomed with open arms and I'll always remember Barry's first scene where he jumped out of a window! That was a great introduction to who Barry really was and I think a lot of the fans saw that from the word go.

"Early on, I really enjoyed working with Jaye Jacobs who played Sian, as Barry went really dark in terms of his mental state in that storyline. We touched on issues that were very sensitive and I enjoyed exploring Barry's real dark nature.

"I also loved the fun moments, like with the magic mushrooms in the woods. Our director Craig gave me a lot of freedom to run with the theme in that episode, which was really exciting.

"I've enjoyed Barry having a girlfriend in the more recent episodes, too. I think a lot of the fans were wondering whether that was going to happen and whether he would get a love interest, so it was interesting to see how that panned out."

Do you have any final words for the fans who have supported you and followed Barry's journey?
"A million times thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unconditional love and support throughout my time on Waterloo Road. It has meant the world to me hearing your responses as you've followed Barry's journey. Whether you've loved him, feared him or loved to hate him, you've showed me how much of an impact he's made and I hope that has a long-lasting impression.

"I've said a few times on Twitter that we should go on this journey together and I feel that we've done just that, so I feel infinitely grateful. I'll see you on the next journey, whatever that may be!"

Waterloo Road headteacher Christine Mulgrew makes a huge error of judgement in tonight's episode (March 5) as she drives to the school while under the influence of alcohol.

Christine is still intoxicated from a heavy night of drinking when she makes her way to work, but her irresponsible actions soon have worrying consequences when she crashes her car into another vehicle.

Laurie Brett, who plays Christine, recently caught up with Digital Spy to chat about her character's ongoing struggle with alcoholism.

How did you feel about Christine going back to her old ways?
"I always knew that this would be the story arc. It was always the plan that Christine would overcome her issues, become headteacher by default, fight to get the job permanently and then fall off the wagon.

"As an actress, this week's episode was such a great one to do and something for me to get my teeth into. I think the story was also very appropriate for Christine, because she'd had a problem with drinking for such a long time and this is the first time that she has properly stopped. It was quite logical to me that the first attempt may not necessarily be the successful one."

What would you say is the main factor behind it?
"There are a few things, but most importantly, this is happening because Connor has left. All through Christine's life, Connor has always been there, but now Christine is almost like a ship without an anchor. It seems absolutely fitting that Christine should decline because of that, so I was thrilled with the storyline."

Do you enjoy playing Christine more when she's stable or out of control?
"I enjoy playing Christine no matter what type of mode that she's in. I find her such an interesting person, because she's so damaged and flawed in so many ways. Even when she's on an even keel and she's in control, I find her reactions and the way she deals with things quite amusing. Even when she's really tip-top, her reactions can be surprising!

"It's also great to play Christine when she's really not well and she's out of control. She's someone who should never have a drink, and those scenes present their own challenges."

Was the car crash exciting to film?
"I didn't do the crash itself. I would have done, but they wouldn't let me! But I did get to drive the car quite fast down the road with one hand, as Christine is busy looking through a bag and is quite distracted when the crash happens."

"It's always quite exciting when you've got all of that stuff to do. You can feel the adrenaline from the crew, because they've only got one cut to get it right. That makes it really exciting because you can feel the tension."

So did you have a stunt double?
"Yes, we had a lovely lady who has been my double on other episodes of Waterloo Road as well. She's just great and it's brilliant to watch those guys work. They're doing these crazy things, but they take it in their stride and it's all in a day's work for them."

How does Christine feel after the crash? Is she worried about the consequences for her career?
"Christine crashes her car early in the episode and tries to cover up what happened. She goes to the school as normal, but she has such a bad day that she ends up resigning. She says that she's had enough.

"Once everything catches up with her, you see a very subdued Christine. She's worked so hard to get sober and she's worked so hard to get the headteacher job and help the kids. Christine loves the kids and she loves English, but she's thrown it all away after a few bad days. I think there's a lot of remorse and regret there."

We'll get to see Connor again, won't we?
"Yes, Christine is feeling down in next week's episode after everything that has happened, but luckily the door goes and it's Connor, who's decided to see how she is. At least she gets a cuddle from her son! It's a hell of a way to get him to come back just for a cuddle! (Laughs.) But he comes back and finds her at her most depressed."

We've had a few episodes without Connor now. Was it strange not to have Shane O'Meara on set for so long?
"Definitely. I adore Shane and we have a really close relationship. It was really odd for him not to be there and I missed him a lot, so it was lovely when he came back. He was off doing lots of auditions and was busy in London, so he was quite happy I think!

"But it's always odd when someone goes from the set who you've been around for a long time. There's always a hole there for a while, but we're still in touch so I've still got my surrogate son!"

An end-of-term treat for Waterloo Road's students has horrifying consequences next week as Gabriella Wark shows her true colours again.

Gabriella (Naomi Battrick) will develop a rivalry with Kacey Barry (Brogan Ellis) in the next two episodes as she becomes jealous of the attention that Kacey gets upon her return to the school.

The schemer's envious attitude rears its ugly head when Simon Lowsley (Richard Mylan) has a climbing wall erected at Waterloo Road as a reward for the students' work on the resilience education programme.

At first the atmosphere is positive among the pupils as they enjoy the challenge, but it's not long before things take a turn for the worse.

When Gabriella challenges Kacey to a climbing race, both girls are determined to prove themselves - but Gabriella doesn't play fair when she lashes out at her rival on the wall and causes an accident.

With the school rocked by Gabriella's latest stunt, will Kacey be okay? And when Gabriella denies responsibility for what happened, can Christine Mulgrew get to the bottom of the situation?


Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, March 12 at 8pm on BBC One.

An end-of-term treat for Waterloo Road's students has horrifying consequences next week as Gabriella Wark shows her true colours again.

Gabriella (Naomi Battrick) will develop a rivalry with Kacey Barry (Brogan Ellis) in the next two episodes as she becomes jealous of the attention that Kacey gets upon her return to the school.

The schemer's envious attitude rears its ugly head when Simon Lowsley (Richard Mylan) has a climbing wall erected at Waterloo Road as a reward for the students' work on the resilience education programme.

At first the atmosphere is positive among the pupils as they enjoy the challenge, but it's not long before things take a turn for the worse.

When Gabriella challenges Kacey to a climbing race, both girls are determined to prove themselves - but Gabriella doesn't play fair when she lashes out at her rival on the wall and causes an accident.

With the school rocked by Gabriella's latest stunt, will Kacey be okay? And when Gabriella denies responsibility for what happened, can Christine Mulgrew get to the bottom of the situation?

Waterloo Road airs these scenes on Wednesday, March 12 at 8pm on BBC One.

Waterloo Road troublemaker Gabriella Wark pulls her worst stunt yet in this week's episode, deliberately endangering fellow pupil Kacey Barry as they race on a climbing wall in the school playground.

Gabriella also jeopardises the career of English teacher Nikki Boston by making a serious allegation against her.

Naomi Battrick, who plays Gabriella, recently caught up with Digital Spy to reveal her thoughts on the drama ahead and what's in store for her character in the longer-term.

What can we expect from Gabriella's storyline in this week's episode?
"Now that Kacey has returned to the school, Gabriella thinks that she's stealing her thunder. Gabriella is not a very happy bunny because of that, so she tries to prove to herself and everyone around her that she is top dog. That's why she really endangers Kacey's safety and kicks up quite a fuss.

"There's also a big kick-off between Gabriella and Nikki in this episode. Gabriella's actions in this episode are a lot more serious than anything else that she's done before, but afterwards you get a bit more of an insight into why Gabriella is behaving this way.

"Towards the end of the episode, I hope that people will really understand Gabriella a lot more. Hopefully people will understand that she's not all that bad."

Do we see more of Gabriella's relationship with her parents?
"Yes, Gabriella's mum comes into Waterloo Road after the trouble with Kacey and Nikki at the school. Those scenes are very interesting, because you'll get to see and understand a little bit more of their relationship. Hopefully that will be good to watch as well."

Will Gabriella feel guilty about what she's done to Kacey?
"Definitely. In the aftermath, you really do get much more of an insight into Gabriella. We really get into the deep and meaningful of why she is the way she is. I think it does change her opinion of the other characters and it changes her relationships within the show."

What can we expect from Gabriella in the longer-term?
"Gabriella is back in the show in September for another term. Obviously there's a new group of people coming into the school and they've got some amazing stuff coming up, but there's also quite a bit of drama from Gabriella's point of view. It's not the type of drama that we're used to from her, though…"

With new pupils joining, does that mean Gabriella will be making some new enemies?
"Potentially, but I don't think enemies is the right word, because she comes back with quite a different outlook on life. I'd say she definitely makes some relationships with the new characters."

What has the reaction been like from Waterloo Road fans since you first appeared on screen?
"It hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be! Quite a lot of people have been embracing Gabriella and I think people quite like watching a baddie. I think that's why Carl Au had such great feedback for his role as Barry.

"There were a couple of really devout Connor and Imogen fans who were not happy with Gabriella kissing Connor in her first episode, as I'm sure you can imagine! But it's been alright - I've had mixed reviews, but they've mostly been good!"

Do people ever confuse you with your character?
"A little bit, mostly online! Quite a few people on my Instagram have been writing comments where it seems they think I actually am Gabriella! People have seen that I've got a boyfriend and I had a couple of people saying, 'I thought you were going out with Barry, you bitch!' I have to say, 'No, it's not actually real guys!' It's quite sweet that people do think it's real!"

Were you a fan of the Gabriella and Barry pairing?
"I was such a fan! Carl is brilliant and his character was so much fun. I think it was a very interesting move for Waterloo Road to put those two characters together, because they were so similar in so many ways. Gabriella just thought that she was a little bit higher up the rankings than Barry!

"I do think that at the start, it was just Gabriella trying to cause trouble and get a bit more attention, but then there was maybe a short period of time where she was quite taken with him. Unfortunately, as soon as Gabriella realised that Barry was very taken with her, the chase was over and so it was boring for her. That's why she ended it."

What's next for you?
"I'm back into castings, which is great because I love doing auditions. Fingers crossed - I'm hoping for the best and we'll see where it takes me. I'm back with my family in London now, which is really lovely and I've been seeing friends too. I'm loving going to the theatre and stuff like that - all of the stuff that I missed when I was away.

"For future projects, I'm happy as Larry to see whatever they'll give me. I've done a few films and there's something special about doing a movie, but then TV is also so much fun, especially something like Waterloo Road where you can really invest so much time into a character. Theatre absolutely terrifies me, but I'd love to do that too!"

Read our full spoiler for this week's Waterloo Road episode
Read more Waterloo Road spoilers and news

Waterloo Road concludes its latest run of episodes on Wednesday (March 12) at 8pm on BBC One.


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Waterloo Road airs a big episode for Nikki Boston tonight (March 12) as the teacher exits the school in the wake of a serious accusation.

Nikki's career is thrown into jeopardy when troubled student Gabriella Wark makes a false assault allegation against her following Kacey Barry's climbing accident.

Digital Spy caught up with Heather Peace, who plays Nikki, about her character's exit and whether will return to the show.
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Waterloo Road: Heather Peace as Nikki Boston
© BBC Pictures / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd / Toby Merritt

How are things with Nikki and Gabriella at this point?
"They don't have a really great relationship at all. I sort of stem it from even just as women, they are so far apart. They are poles apart. She [Nikki] is this northern, working class, army hard-worker and she just sees this posh kid that shirks work and is everything that she is not really. Nikki doesn't take into account what might have happened in people's lives. I think she is a bit against therapy and all that sort of thing – she is quite hard-nosed."

Why does Nikki suspect that Gabriella was behind Kacey's accident?
"It all starts to get out of hand because Gabriella is aware that there is something going on with Nikki and Hector and stuff like that. Gabriella has been trouble all along really and has been in all the other episodes. She is right not to trust her but she doesn't really take into account why she is troubled, I think."

When Nikki challenges Gabriella over the accident, she takes revenge by claiming that Nikki assaulted her. What can you tell us about that?
"Well it is one of the biggest things to ever happen in your life to be accused of sexual assault. It's massive. It is career, it is life, it is reputation, it's friends. The thing is, it was in the storyline that Nikki presumes people won't believe it. She presumes people won't think anything of it and the minute that she thinks that perhaps people do think this of her, that is when she decides to go."

Do you think she ever thought that Gabriella was capable of something like this?
"I don't think she ever thought anyone could be capable of something this bad. The thing is, there is a rule with teaching and you shouldn't really be on your own in a room with a student with the door closed. I know that from friends of mine who teach and it is because this sort of thing being able to be misconstrued. So she makes that mistake in the first place by being in a room on her own with the door shut."
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Gabriella with her fellow Waterloo Road pupils
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) / Alan Peebles
Gabriella with her fellow Waterloo Road pupils

Does that mean that Nikki leaves under a cloud, or could Gabriella confess?
"She resigns when her name is cleared. When all this kicks off, she refuses to resign or go anywhere. They keep trying to send her home and she won't go. When she does manage to clear her name, that is when she leaves. She kind of goes 'Do you know what? Enough! I'm off'. It's a positive exit."

Is Nikki sad to leave the school behind?
"No, she isn't. I think she has genuinely had enough."

Where does she plan to go?
"I won't say too much but it all stems out of the love triangle with Hector, Vix and Nikki. So it is about that decision and it stems around that story."

Were you pleased with Nikki's exit storyline?
"Yes I was. I was a little bit concerned originally when they said there was going to be a love triangle. I wanted it to finish the way I wanted it to finish because there was a lot hanging on it really. But it is a really cracking storyline. It is actually very well developed in terms of the stuff with Nikki's internalised homophobia, which actually happens to a lot of gay people when they would really rather they weren't gay as life is a lot easier if you are not. I think there is quite a lot of depth within that that perhaps hasn't been explored before actually."
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Vix Spark and Nikki Boston in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR)
Vix Spark and Nikki Boston

Have you enjoyed her other storylines this series?
"Yeah I have loved it and I miss it but it was time to move on. There were a lot of new characters coming in and it is time for them to take the helm. I've got two careers running alongside each other with the music and the acting and I needed to focus on the music which I couldn't fully do with the schedules that we work up there so I made the decision to go."

Obviously you are taking a break from the show, do you have any plans to return yet?
"I don't, no. We haven't had any discussions or anything. I think there is a lot more great stuff that could be done with Nikki but that is down to the producers and writers and if they think that is possible. I think it is and me and the production company are very fond of each other. We have had a great time and it has been a lovely way to exit.

"They really did take care of the character and did it properly. I don't fall off a roof or anything, so the door is left open but there hasn't been any discussions as of yet but they have wrapped up this series now and they will start again around April/May time so there is plenty of time still. So we will just wait and see."

Do you have any other future plans? Or are you just planning to concentrate on your music?
"Yeah, I am just concentrating on my music for now. I have got another drama coming out called Prey where I play John Simm's wife – that comes out in the spring as well. But for now, it is just the music. I have got an album coming out in June and I have been recording that in the studio and then a tour. It's great."

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The BBC has announced that the tenth series of Waterloo Road will be its last.

Announcing the news on Twitter, the broadcaster said it was "incredibly proud of the show".

"Series 10 of #WaterlooRoad will be the final series. We're incredibly proud of the show but believe it has reached the end of its lifecycle.

"We still have a further 20 episodes to look forward to before #WaterlooRoad finishes in 2015, and we'll be sending the show out on a high."

A new drama is expected to fill Waterloo Road's 8pm slot when the series bows out.

The secondary school television drama - produced Shed Media - first appeared on BBC One in March 2006 and has won several awards over its eight year history, including the Most Popular Drama award in the 2012 National Television Awards and Most Popular Drama Series at the 2013 Inside Soap awards.

In 2011, the series was controversially relocated from Rochdale to Scotland, which some cast members criticised at the time.

The show has also been successfully exported across the globe to countries including Spain, Australia and Estonia.

BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore and BBC Drama Controller Ben Stephenson said: "We are incredibly proud of Waterloo Road, and would like to thank Shed Productions and all the cast and teams involved across the ten series.

"However, we believe it has reached the end of its lifecycle and won't be returning after series 10 finishes in 2015. On BBC One it's important to make room for new drama and we are committed to commissioning new drama series for 8pm. There are some really exciting ideas currently in development but nothing to confirm yet."

BBC Scotland's Head of Programmes Donalda MacKinnon added: "When we originally committed to making 50 hours of Waterloo Road in Greenock we did so for a number of reasons which included boosting drama production skills here in Scotland, as well as improving training and development opportunities for the future.

"We were very pleased to significantly increase our commitment to 70 hours recently and that was partly thanks to the efforts of the Greenock community who helped make the move happen so smoothly and who made cast and crew so welcome.

It's always sad when any long-running show comes to an end and I know the Waterloo Road team will miss Greenock - as will fans of the show.

"Our firm aim now, however, is to use that to continue growing the TV and the wider creative sector here in Scotland utilising the increased skill base arising from Waterloo Road to build up future home-grown culturally representative output."

I think it is the right decision, to be honest but sad to see it go just the same :(

explains jane's return to eastenders so

Waterloo Road cast members have begun filming the show's final series.

Laurie Brett and Neil Pearson, who play Christine Mulgrew and Vaughan Fitzgerald, were among those on set in Greenock, Scotland as production resumed yesterday (May 26).

Brett has been portraying Christine on the BBC One drama since 2012, while Pearson will make his first appearance as Vaughan in the autumn.

BBC bosses announced in early April that Waterloo Road would be coming to an end, promising to send the show out "on a high".

Waterloo Road returns to screens later this year with the final ten episodes of Series 9, which introduce Vaughan as the school's new headmaster.

Meanwhile, the ten episodes which are being filmed over the coming months will air in 2015.

Brett will be returning to her EastEnders role as Jane Beale on a permanent basis in the autumn once she has finished working on Waterloo Road.