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.
Yard Act announce handful of new headline shows ahead of 6Music gig in Manchester
Clementine Hall
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024, including a show right here in Manchester – but not before their BBC 6Music Festival gig later this week.
We are so, SO back.
It’s been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a limited run of domestic shows for later in the year including their homecoming gig at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Friday, 6 November.
But after playing over in Yorkshire, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on the following Friday (13 Nov).
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album, Where’s My Utopia?, with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August ’24.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy.
It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have been keeping busy writing and recording their third studio LP, as well as heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives – oh, and that intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to this coming autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait. We spoke to them a little while back and know how much big stuff they’ve got further pipeline; you can see the interview HERE.
Booking just three headline slots, the handful of tour dates are as follows:
06 Nov – Leeds
13 Nov – Manchester
26 Nov – London
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday, 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday, 27 March. Sign up to grab yours right HERE.
As for those wanting to find out more about this year’s 6Music Fest, you find the full lineup and more down below.
Gladiators Live Tour to make ‘triumphant’ return to Manchester on UK arena tour
Emily Sergeant
The Gladiators Live Tour will make a triumphant return in 2026.
Following its explosive debut in 2025 and overwhelming fan demand, the Gladiators Live Tour is set to head out on a UK tour later this year, bringing the iconic phenomenon back to arenas nationwide for an electrifying new run of shows, and making a stop off in Manchester, of course.
Audiences will, once again, have the chance to experience the action-packed spectacle featuring the stars of the hit BBC reboot series on an epic scale.
The 2025 live tour thrilled audiences nationwide, selling over 200,000 tickets and proving the arena spectacular is ‘bigger, bolder, and more electrifying’ than ever, and that energy is only set to continue this year when the show returns to Manchester’s popular AO Arena.
GLADIATORS, READY!
Following its epic debut in 2025 the triumphant live show brings the energy to Manchester on 14 & 15 Nov!
This adrenaline-fuelled event sees the legendary Gladiators storm back into the arena to face fearless contenders in a heart-pounding live adaptation of the smash-hit television phenomenon.
Expect iconic fan-favourite events, breathtaking stunts, epic head-to-head battles and the unforgettable Eliminator finale.
Featuring stars from the hit BBC series, audiences are being told to expect a truly immersive, high-octane experience, as arenas are transformed into modern gladiatorial battlegrounds complete with purpose-built sets, spectacular lighting, and cinematic staging.
The Gladiators Live Tour 2026 kicks off in Aberdeen on 10 October, before heading to other major cities like Glasgow, London, and Birmingham, as well as northern locations like Leeds and Newcastle, and of course, Manchester’s AO Arena for two nights on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Tickets officially go on sale this Friday 27 March, with two shows per day available, and you can grab them when they go live here.
Emily Sergeant -
11th January 2023 
