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.
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Will Mellor’s new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims airs tonight
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC documentary about real-life victims from the Post Office scandal fronted by Will Mellor is hitting TV screens tonight.
As the country finally starts to wake up to the full scale of the Post Office scandal – which involved the British postal service pursuing thousands of innocent subpostmasters for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in an accounting software system between 1999 and 2015 – actor Will Mellor is on a mission to find out what happened to the real-life sub-postmasters in this new BBC documentary.
The Stockport-born actor famously played the part of Lee Castleton in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and says he feels a “real affinity” will the families he spoke to for the programme.
For the new documentary and accompanying five-part BBC Sounds podcast series – which is titled Surviving the Post Office – Will actually speaks to Mr Castleton himself, as well as four other affected people and their families whose lives have been “torn apart”.
Will Mellor has fronted a new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims / Credit: ITV
Surviving the Post Office ventures to all four corners of England, including East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall, as Will discovers that many of the sub-postmasters want to “take back control of their lives”.
According to the BBC, for some facing the past, that proves to be a “troubling experience”, while for others, it ends up being a “liberating” step forwards.
As well as exploring the financial losses for many, including the people featured in the documentary and podcast series, Will also gets to find out how they are coping with their emotions, trying to move on from the whole ordeal, and how the victims are finding support in unexpected ways.
📢 Actor Will Mellor meets the real-life victims of the Post Office scandal in a brand new documentary from BBC Local
Surviving The Post Office is coming to @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer tonight at 8.30pm. The podcast series is on @BBCSounds now
“I feel a real affinity with these families, so it was a privilege to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast,” Will said ahead of the documentary airing on BBC One.
“What shocked me the most after meeting so many sub-postmasters is just how far the impact and trauma has spread – the effect it’s had on people’s health, their children, and their whole communities has been massive.”