Smash-hit BBC series Waterloo Road is returning to our screens this week.
Set in a comprehensive school of the same name, Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas that spawned plenty of award-winning and highly-publicised storylines, drew in millions of viewers each week, and amassed a cult-following of fans.
The show was famously set and filmed in Rochdale from series one until the end of series seven, when it moved in Scotland, but production returned to Greater Manchester for the revival.
The show’s original run is also known for launching the careers of many young and emerging actors, some of who fans will notice have reprised their roles in the new series, while a handful of others have gone on to hit the big time in recent years.
Here’s eight stars who got their start on Waterloo Road.
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Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page
Siobhan Mailey & Guy Braxton
Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page / Credit: BBC
Did you know that before Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page went on to enchant audiences and gain critical acclaim as Daphne and The Duke on the smash-hit Netflix series Bridgerton in 2020, the pair got their start on Waterloo Road?
Trafford-born Dynevor – who also has a famous Manc mum – starred as Siobhan Mailey for 20 episodes between 2009-2010 when she was 14-years-old, and Page played Guy Braxton for eight episodes back in 2015.
While they did not share the screen at the same time, it’s still a coincidence that they had roles in the same show before Bridgerton fame came calling.
Jenna Coleman
Lindsay James
Jenna Coleman / Credit: BBC
This one’s probably not as much of a surprise to fans of the long-running BBC show.
But before Blackpool-born Jenna Coleman went on to star as Matt Smith’s assistant Clara Oswald in Doctor Who between 2012-2017, and as the title role of Queen Victoria in the ITV drama Victoria between 2016-2019, she made her name on Waterloo Road.
Coleman played the recurring role of “hard girl” Lindsay James on the show in 2009 – with her character most notable for being at the centre of the gang war storyline between Waterloo Road and a local private school.
Adam Thomas
Donte Charles
Adam Thomas / Credit: BBC
While Manchester-born actor Adam Thomas may be best-known for his starring role in the ITV soap Emmerdale between 2009-2018, his stint on the reality competition I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2016, let’s not forget he cemented his place on the screen by starring in Waterloo Road.
Thomas played the memorable role of original cast member Donte Charles, and was a series regular appearing in 50 episodes between 2006-2009.
Donte Charles was undoubtedly Thomas’ breakthrough role – and it’s a role he has reprised.
Lucien Laviscount
Jonah Kirby
Lucien Laviscount / Credit: BBC
Burnely-born actor Lucien Laviscount had already become known to audiences through his roles on the children’s drama series Grange Hill between 2007-2008, and on the iconic Manchester-based soap Coronation Street in 2009, prior to starring in Waterloo Road between 2010-2011 – but his character Jonah Kirby is one fans remember for the controversial student-teacher relationship storyline that ended in pregnancy and a runaway marriage.
Laviscount later went on to compete in Celebrity Big Brother in 2011, and star in and make appearances on a range of TV shows such as Snatch, Skins, Episodes, Shameless, and US series’ Supernatural, Scream Queens, and Katy Keene.
He’s currently starring in Netflix smash-hit series Emily in Paris.
Tom Payne
Bret Aspinall
Tom Payne / Credit: BBC
Essex-born actor Tom Payne famously played the recurring role of sixth-former Brett Aspinall on Waterloo Road for 32 episodes from 2007 to 2008.
But after making his name and departing from the long-running BBC show, he joined the main cast of US zombie drama The Walking Dead as Paul “Jesus” Rovia from 2016-19, before playing Malcolm in crime drama Prodigal Son.
Katie McGlynn
Jodie “Scout” Allen
Katie McGlynn / Credit: BBC
Rochdale-born actress Katie McGlynn made a name for herself after donning the sparkles as a contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and is mostly recognised for starring as series regular Sinead Tinker on Coronation Street between 2013-2020, but she first became known for her role as Jodie “Scout” Allen on Waterloo Road from 2011-2013.
She also had roles in The Syndicate, and most-recently Hollyoaks.
Jack O’Connell
Dale Baxter
Jack O’Connell / Credit: BBC
Jack O’Connell was most-known to TV audiences for his role as the larger-than-life, fan-favourite character of Cook in the second generation of E4 teen drama Skins between 2009-2013, and for his role in the cult-classic 2006 film This Is England, before going on to star in a range of critically-acclaimed films and series’ and Hollywood blockbusters in recent years.
Before all of that though, he played the role of Dale Baxter in a single episode of Waterloo Road in 2007.
Matty Healy may be the son of northern actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, and is of course most-known for entertaining crowds as the frontman of Manchester-based indie pop rock band The 1975 – who have garnered critical acclaim, several chart-topping albums, multiple awards, and a worldwide fan base since hitting the mainstream back in 2012 – but he’s even been spotted as making a couple of appearances as an extra in earlier series’ of Waterloo Road.
The reason for his role as an extra on the BBC drama is likely due to his mum starring as long-standing French teacher Steph Haydock on the show for six series between 2006-2010.
Featured Image – BBC
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The Canal Street star that we’re backing to be the next queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Danny Jones
Amid all the buzz of Manchester Pride 2025, the latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK also returns this August bank holiday, and fittingly a Canal Street has joined the lineup for series seven.
The parade and Gay Village Party aside, we genuinely can’t wait for the cult favourite TV show to be back on our screens.
Already a classic among the queer community following many years on the air over in America, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is set to debut its seventh season, and part of the fun is always meeting the cast.
While there’s often a Northern name or two, including multiple Mancunians in the past, we believe this year’s contestant has a good shot at winning the whole thing. Manchester, meet Bonnie Ann Clyde.
Who is Manchester’s adopted 2025 Drag Race star, Bonnie Ann Clyde?
Now, aside from having a fabulous and very classic drag name, the other twist when it comes to this Drag Race debutant is that she’s not technically a Manc.
What gave it away? Was it the accent?…
Born in Dublin and dubbing herself “Ireland’s best export”, the 30-year-old Bonnie Ann Clyde has been here for the past 12 months, and it’s her time around Canal Street – The Goose and Cruz 101, specifically – that has seen her grow in reputation.
Speaking to the show’s British broadcasters, she told fans old and hopefully soon to be: “You could say that I’ve been around the block a few times, but I prefer to say that I’m an international queen!
“Bonnie Ann Clyde was created in Dublin, [during] the mid-2010s, when drag was starting to get popular again. I performed in Dublin for six years, then I did a Summer in San Francisco, and after that I moved to Gran Canaria, where I performed for two and a half years.”
Quite the CV, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it’s only since she started gaining a following here in 0161 that she got the call to be the next series of Drag Race UK. After all, we do know a thing or two about the scene in these parts.
— KaMorian (Sparkling Alien 💫) (@ka_morian0121) August 22, 2025
Why we think she should and will win
Aside from being the resident Greater Manchester representative (be it as an ex-pat or not), it’s this kind of globetrotting experience of LGBTQIA+ entertainment culture, pulling knowledge from all manner of drag queen circuits, that we think she’s odds on to push for the crown this year.
Detailing why she thinks she deserves to be named champion in 2025, whilst doing an impression of Holly Jervis from X Factor, she said: “‘This is MY moment’.
“I’ve worked for years doing jobs I didn’t want to do, and I’ve worked so hard. I deserve this crown, I deserve that sceptre, I deserve that £25k, and you know what? I’m going to get it because I’m fabulous, I’m fantastic, I’m Bonnie Ann Clyde, and I’m going to win!”
You’ve got to love that self-confidence, and while there are some other Northern faces among the lineup this year – including the Yorkshire favourite and the first ever contestant from Leeds, Silllexa Diction – there’s no question about who we want to win.
Once again, series seven of RuPaul Drag Race UK gets underway at 9pm this Sunday, 24 August, on BBC Three, as well as iPlayer in case you’re busy partying at Manchester Pride 2025.
A new coffee shop by a familiar Manc influencer with an ‘Oasis-inspired’ name is opening in town
Danny Jones
We’re never short of cafés here in Manchester, especially in the city centre, and there are a fair few great ones in the Northern Quarter alone, but this new coffee shop from a famous local influencer is one to keep an eye on – especially as it’s a bit of an Oasis pun.
‘What’s the story?’, we hear you ask: Morning Glory, that’s what.
That’s right, NQ’s latest coffee spot is not only a fun little nod to the Britpop classic but a little bit of innuendo by an equally cheeky chappy and familiar content creator, Zack Hipps.
With the Oasis puns and double-entendre boxes ticked off, it already ticks a couple of boxes, but there are still plenty more reasons to think this will be a success.
Morning Glory is opening in the Northern Quarter at the end of the month. (Credit: Morning Glory)
To start with, the jokes don’t stop as sandwich lovers will be glad to hear that there will be ‘Glory Holes’ on the menu…
Calm down, it’s not that kind of gaff. These are bagels that are sliced, stuffed with whipped cream, brushed with garlic butter, before being rebaked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of honey thyme. That admittedly does sound rather naughty.
Bagels are the main foodstuff on the menu, with a lineup of stacked fillings such as grilled peach with goat’s cheese and chilli jam; roast chicken thigh with smoked garlic mayo, iceberg lettuce and red onion and a ‘next-level’ ham and cheese stack.
Oh yeah, and it’s not only a coffee shop but promises to be a great and affordable spot for grab-and-go joe, specifically, too.
Morning Glory will be helping kickstart Manc mornings in the best way: with a banging coffee and bagel brekkie deal for just £5, making it perfect for those early risers and rushes to the commuter trams – OR, indeed, the ideal hangover cure after a night out in the city.
Apart from the obvious Manchester music reference, the coffee bar is a fitting honey-yellow.The bagels are looking big and beautiful.The diagonal floor stripes are a nod to The Hacienda nightclub. (Credit: Supplied)
Now, with the space itself spanning just 50sqm and featuring just 12 seats, not to mention fast, value-for-money food and drink, everyone can admit this isn’t necessarily the spot to sit for hours chatting with your mates over a brew.
Although Zack describes the room as “casual, cosy and full of personality” and “proper good vibes”, assuring quality at all times, they also state it is about “no faff” and the menu is made for being on the move, which is absolutely fine with us.
For instance, indie suppliers Kyoto Matcha will be chipping in with drinks and local bakery Vainllis over in Ancoats will be delivering a fresh twist on the Manchester tart, both of which are easy to order takeout and enjoy on the go.
Best of all, to mark the launch, the first 100 people through the doors on from 8am on opening Saturday, 30 August. August will not only bag a free drink, but three lucky customers will be randomly chosen to win a golden ticket, entitling them to free coffee every single day for A WHOLE YEAR.
Speaking on the impending opening just weeks after Oasis left the city, Hipps says, “Morning Glory Coffee is my love letter to Manchester. We’ve grafted for months building the space, and it’s mad to think we’re finally opening the doors.
“It’s a warm, welcoming spot with proper Manc charm, and I’m buzzing to be working alongside some of my favourite local makers. Manchester’s got one of the best food scenes in the country, and we can’t wait to shine a light on all the incredible talent out there, whilst fuelling up Manc’s one brew at a time.”
See you in the queue on Oldham Street come launch day for great coffee, Oasis in the headphones and hopefully some rare but glorious Manchester morning sun.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2023 
