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
Trending
The latest on Salford Red Devils financial situation as ‘winding-up’ petition is adjourned
Danny Jones
The current situation at Salford Red Devils is far from ideal, with the rugby league team currently owing hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt, not to mention facing further stress over finances with players owed wages, key personnel leaving and remaining uncertainty over future ownership.
So, why is the board expressing reassurance among supporters following the recent adjournment of a ‘winding-up’ petition, and what exactly does this mean?
It is no doubt a complex issue, but with the season concluding in October and the Greater Manchester club essentially being given a stay of execution, for lack of a better phrase, it’s possible that a corner could hopefully be turned soon.
Here’s everything we know so far about the situation in Salford and where the Red Devils’ finances are currently at.
Salford Red Devils’ finances and more – explained
For a start, they’re late on payroll again this month.
Salford Red Devils players have been told they will not receive their salaries today.https://t.co/ofHTR0uZyN
According to recent reports, Salford Red Devils owe more than half a million pounds to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at present, with current estimates said to be in the region of £600,000.
The Super League side has fallen into debt due to a number of factors: their own performance as a business, cuts to local funding and a period of spending in terms of recruitment and pre-season preparation under the assumption of a subsidy from Salford City Council (SCC).
However, this would-be uplift – despite it being promised late last year – never came as the Council (having already provided £315k in ‘immediate’ financial aid back in March 2024) U-turned on the decision after it was revealed further backing was not in the budget.
SCC ended up owing around £2 million itself after stepping in to save both SRD and fellow rugby league outfit Swinton Lions, handing out loans to both clubs even prior to purchasing Salford Community Stadium and the surrounding area.
The Council ultimately shelled out north of £7.7m to buy the ground and sever commercial ties with previous owners, Peel. They had hoped to further alleviate pressure on the club, but Salford Red Devils (SRD) had already spent the money they were expecting to receive on new players, training and more.
SRD were then told to sell off a number of players by the league.
With all this in mind, something called a ‘winding-up’ petition – basically a document sent by creditors that demands the immediate liquidation of a company/organisation that owes them money – was filed by HMRC back in May, with the tax authorities demanding payment of the outstanding sum.
However, special dispensation appears to have been made not only due to the complicated and unforeseen circumstances Salford have faced along the way, but also for the sake of the Rugby Football League (RFL) itself, with the Red Devils still seen as a valuable sporting and community asset.
One of those unexpected twists was the takeover by a new consortium led by Dario Berta, whose investment failed to clear in time and resulted in the club being hit with the financial sustainability problem that saw them cutbacks.
In a small bit of good fortune, it has now been decided that the petition to liquidate the SRD has been postponed, though not indefinitely.
As expected, there is good news that the winding-up petition filed by HMRC against Salford Red Devils has been successfully adjourned by the club's representatives in London until after the season has finished in September.
It's important to focus on supporting Salford as they…
— The Game Caller 🗣🎙📻 (@TheGameCaller) June 25, 2025
What could happen next?
The date for coughing up what debt they owe to the tax authorities has now been pushed back to September, meaning they have until then to find the finances, or else they could very well be made insolvent in a matter of months.
However, as per BBC Radio Manchester, those involved in the ongoing process are “confident” that bridging loans will be put in place over the coming days to keep HMRC at bay.
And, nevertheless, head coach Paul Rowley has insisted that he can see “green shoots” starting to emerge around the club, despite still sitting bottom of the table with just one win to their name.
What’s for sure is that the local area isn’t giving up on them, with numerous fundraisers and charity events being set up to help support the club via the official Salford Red Devils Foundation.
Fingers firmly crossed that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
A limited number of additional Oasis tickets to be released in three UK cities on Live ’25 reunion tour
Danny Jones
Britpop fans, brace yourselves because Oasis have just announced that they will be releasing more tickets for three UK reunion dates – and yes, we can confirm that one of those set for an extra is their massive Manchester homecoming at Heaton Park.
Get ready to scrap in the digital queue again, folks.
With the Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour now less than a week from kicking into gear (cannot believe it’s gone that fast), people are still scrambling around and trying to do whatever they can to get a last-minute ticket.
That being said, the Burnage boys and their promoters look to have given Oasis fans even more of a lifeline besides the hope of last-minute spares and re-sales, as a small release of additional tickets will be made for Manchester and two other cities available this week.
Posting on their social media accounts, the band confirmed: “As the shows are getting closer, Oasis promoters may be able to release a very limited number of additional tickets for sale once final sight lines are checked and the production is fine-tuned.”
Besides Heaton Park, Cardiff and Edinburgh are believed to be the other two shows tipped for the extra ticket allocation.
The update goes on to add: “These final production releases will happen over the coming days. If you are an Oasismynet [fan website] member, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from your regular Oasismynet or Ticketmaster correspondence address.”
Naturally, they’ve also urged would-be recipients to double-check all emails are correct and legitimate before following links or sharing any purchase information”, scammers having been rife ever since the tour broke the internet.
Amusingly, many of those who saw the latest news from the Gallagher brothers online immediately feared the worst when they spotted the lengthy block of white text on a plain black background.
“Got scared they had a falling out for a second because of the long message”, and “Omg this looked like a statement saying they’d fallen out again”, being just two examples.
But don’t worry; touch wood, rehearsals are now well underway and as far as we know, the Manc music legends are getting on fine and even spent a recent bank holiday together, according to LG himself.
If among the lucky few to be selected for the final ballot, those who attempted to get tickets last time around should receive a code via email, with the tickets available at 8am BST sharp tomorrow (Thursday, 26 June). So, you’d best get checking your inboxes, people!
It’s not just the return of Oasis mania out there, Britpop fever has well and truly gripped the nation with Robbie Williams currently on tour, Pulp back together too, not to mention Blur announcing a surprise new album this July. Time to clobber up and pretend it’s the 90s again.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2023 
