Adam Thomas has shared a video showing the moment his young son burst into tears after finding out he’d landed a role on Waterloo Road.
And it’s a pretty emotional one.
In case you hadn’t heard, the first episode of the long-awaited revival of Waterloo Road finally hit our screens last week, and viewers nationwide tuned in to watch some of the original cast members step into the shoes of their beloved characters once again, alongside a new crop of new young acting talent taking the reins.
Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas, going on to show award-winning and highly-publicised storylines, draw in millions of viewers each week, and amass a cult-following of fans.
It also famously launched the careers of many young and emerging actors, and it could very much be set to do this same this time around.
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One of the young stars forming the cast of the reboot is Adam Thomas’ six-year-old son Teddy.
While the Stockport-born actor may be best-known for starring in the ITV soap Emmerdale, he of course made his name on Waterloo Road as the memorable Donte Charles – a role he has reprised in the new reboot.
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In the reboot, Adam’s character is now the caretaker at the school, and is married to his high school sweetheart from the original series, Chlo Grainger, with their two children, Izzy – played by his real-life niece Scarlett, who is making her acting debut – and Tommy, who is played by his real-life son Teddy, also in his acting debut.
Adam Thomas and his real-life son Teddy Thomas as Donte and Tommy Charles / Credit: BBC
Ahead of the second episode in the series last night, Adam took to social media to share a video of the moment Teddy found out he’d be cast in the show alongside his dad.
The young lad is seen bursting into tears the minute he finds out.
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Adam also shared the story of Teddy’s unlikely journey to being cast in the show, explaining in the Instagram post: “Teddy auditioned for the role of Tommy and got down to the last two actors, but they went with the other actor.
“I remember telling Ted, and he burst out crying bless him, but that’s an actors life, some parts you get, some you don’t… a lesson he learnt early in his career. However a few weeks later I got a call saying they have had to recast the part of Tommy, and would love to give it to Teddy.
The actor also spoke of how “special” it is to share the screen with his son.
He continued: “Can’t tell you how special it’s been sharing the screen with not only Teddy, but with Scarlett Thomas, who is quite frankly one of the best actresses I’ve ever worked with – well done guys, a proud dad and uncle.
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“Thank you for all the lovely messages, and so happy you’re all enjoying Waterloo Road.”
Adam also spoke of his pride ahead of his niece and son’s acting debuts in an interview with the MEN earlier this month, calling it a “full circle moment” and saying he hopes that it kickstarts the young stars’ careers.
Mancs wanted to test their willpower in the wilderness for ‘life-changing’ cash prize in new TV show
Emily Sergeant
Mancs who are willing to put their willpower to the test in a bid to win a ‘life-changing’ cash prize are wanted for a new TV show.
Are you prepared to take on the ultimate test of willpower? Channel 4 is currently casting for the potential next series of the smash-hit show, Tempting Fortune, and is calling on brave people from across Greater Manchester to apply to take part.
Tempting Fortune is described as being a ‘groundbreaking social experiment’.
Filmed in a distant paradise, this epic series full of twists and turns – which ended its gripping second season last Sunday (6 April) – gives a group of regular people the chance to take part in an adventure ‘with a twist’ and earn a ‘substantial cash reward’ at the end of it.
Mancs willing to test their willpower in the wilderness are wanted for a new TV show / Credit: Channel 4
But what stands in the way of that cash prize is the wilderness, and contestants will be tasked with grappling with the elements, the terrain, and their own willpower along the way.
A casting call for the potential upcoming next series of the show on the Channel 4 website reads: “We are casting for fun, diverse individuals from all different backgrounds.
“We are looking for applicants who are excited by the challenge of embarking on a new adventure that will test them both physically and mentally.”
Find out more and apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Stockport’s Aimee Lou Wood slams SNL for ‘mean and unfunny’ White Lotus sketch
Danny Jones
Stopfordian White Lotus star, Aimee Lou Wood, has fired back at Saturday Night Live (SNL) following a new skit that has been equally slammed by others on social media for mocking her.
Wood was the subject of a recent skit on SNL entitled ‘The White Potus’, in which her physical appearance and voice were heavily parodied.
The Bramhall-born actor is best known for her roles in Netflix’s Sex Education, Daddy Issues – the BBC Three comedy filmed in Stockport – and now the hit HBO show, White Lotus, becoming an increasingly household name both in Britain and in the US.
Unfortunately, it is her increasingly recognisable face that the long-running sketch comedy show seemingly targeted as one of their jokes last week, and now Aimee Lou Wood has commented on the controversy, confessing that she was left hurt by the jokes.
Replying to an Instagram post which read, “YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD”, a first response to what has been labelled an ‘insensitive’ sketch was coaxed out of her, with Wood writing: “Whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.”
The 31-year-old has since gone on to continue discussing the matter in multiple IG stories, reiterating that while she is not “thin-skinned”, understands the show and has enjoyed it even of late, she would have liked something done in a “more nuanced, less cheap way.”
She went on to say: “On a positive note, everyone is agreeing with me about it, so I’m glad I said something instead of going in on myself.”
The Greater Manchester native has been hit with a wave of support online, with many pointing out that everyone else parodied was a political figure except her, as Wood also noted that the rest of the sketch was “punching up” until it came to her teeth and Mancunian accent.
Wood insisted that she didn’t take issue with the SNL cast member who played her, Sarah Sherman, but more the content of the joke, adding that the joke was about fluoride (i.e. toothpaste) and that she has “big teeth not bad teeth.” She also qualified that claims about her treatment by HBO were false.
Credit: Screenshots via IG
Wood has since revealed that SNL – which is aired by US network NBC – have now sent their apologies, though she hasn’t detailed exactly what message(s) received state.
It looks like the SK local is now hoping to draw a line under the whole thing, but she is still being met with an outpouring of love and support from her followers and fellow famous names.
One of those who came to her defence is former Channel 4 presenter and The Good Place star Jameela Jamil, who wrote: “I hate this so much. It’s the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman…
“We make fun of the assimilation of women, then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features […] I also think she’s so f***ing beatiful and love her face so much and wouldn’t want her to look any different.”
Emily Sergeant -
11th January 2023 
